The Federal Government has officially announced that it will not allocate any public funds toward establishing a national airline, signaling a decisive shift toward private sector-driven aviation development. This clarification was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, through a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday.
According to the minister, the government is no longer pursuing the creation of a state-funded national carrier. Instead, it is prioritizing the formulation and implementation of strategic policies that will enhance the sustainability, competitiveness, and growth of Nigeria’s existing local airline operators. The administration’s goal is to create a more enabling environment for these domestic carriers to thrive.
Keyamo emphasized that while the Federal Government will not invest financially in establishing a national airline, it remains open to reviewing credible and beneficial proposals from both local and international investors—whether from the private or public sectors. “The correct story should be that the FG will not invest a dime in establishing a National Carrier, but is always open to proposals from private or public entities, both in and out of the country that truly benefit Nigeria and Nigerians in establishing a National Carrier,” he stated.
He further noted that the ministry’s current focus is to develop strong policy frameworks that support the aviation industry, particularly local operators, rather than initiating new state-owned ventures. “Before that happens, we are concentrating on developing policies to ensure the growth and survival of our local operators,” he added.
This policy clarification comes amid ongoing discussions and public speculation regarding the future of a Nigerian national airline, especially in the wake of controversies surrounding the previous administration’s attempted launch of “Nigeria Air.”
Keyamo’s remarks highlight a broader economic agenda by the current administration, which is focused on reducing government expenditure and promoting a competitive, private sector-led economy—particularly within the strategic aviation sector.
