The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s aviation sector through strategic policies aimed at fostering local economic growth, safeguarding workers’ rights, and enhancing infrastructural development.
Speaking at the Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Keyamo underscored the importance of foreign airlines patronizing indigenous caterers, stressing that compliance with this directive would be a key determinant in approving airline schedules.
“I have said it before, and I am saying it again—foreign airlines should patronize indigenous caterers. Otherwise, I will not sign the summer schedule,” Keyamo declared. He directed the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, to commence immediate engagement with airlines to enforce compliance.
According to Tunde Moshood, Spokesman and Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the forum served as a crucial platform for government officials, aviation agencies, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on key issues affecting the sector.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Dr. Abubakar D. Kana, mni, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and aviation agency heads such as Capt. Chris Najomo, Director-General, NCAA; Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director/CEO, FAAN; Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General, NiMET; and Engr. Farouk Umar, Managing Director, NAMA (represented by Mr. John Tayo, Director of Air Travel Services). Others present included Mustapha Sheik Abdullahi, Registrar, African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), alongside directors from various aviation agencies.
During the engagement, the Minister addressed concerns raised by aviation workers’ unions regarding airline restrictions on union activities within their organizations.
In response, he directed the NCAA to initiate discussions with airlines to ensure that union members are allowed to exercise their rights in the workplace.
Additionally, Keyamo assured union representatives of their involvement in discussions regarding the concession of airports. He emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency, pledging that his Special Assistant on Public-Private Partnerships (SA PPP) would engage union leaders regularly to keep them informed on concession plans.
In a significant development, the Minister revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finalized plans for the reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. He also mentioned potential concessions for smaller airports to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery across the country.
The Stakeholders’ Forum provided an avenue for open dialogue between the government, aviation agencies, and industry players, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to collaborative decision-making to build a more sustainable and competitive aviation sector in Nigeria.
