Minister outlines progress on safety compliance, local airline sustainability, infrastructure upgrades, and human capacity development.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a safe, efficient, and globally competitive aviation sector in line with the Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables for 2025.
According to a press release issued on Tuesday by Odutayo Oluseyi, Head, Press and Public Affairs, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, made the declaration during the Quarterly Stakeholders’ Engagement at the Bolingo Xperia Hotel and Towers, Abuja. The forum, themed “Leveraging Public Feedback to Drive Excellence in Aviation Services,” provides a platform for reviewing progress, exchanging ideas, and strengthening collaboration among aviation stakeholders.
Keyamo emphasized that the aviation sector remains critical to national economic development, job creation, and regional integration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Highlighting the Ministry’s Five-Point Agenda, he outlined key priorities: strict adherence to safety regulations and continuous improvement of Nigeria’s ICAO rating; support for local airlines; revitalization of airports and air traffic systems; human capacity development; and enhanced revenue generation through innovative partnerships.
The Minister disclosed that notable progress has already been made, including strengthened collaboration with global aircraft manufacturers on leasing arrangements to support domestic airlines. He added that a unified strategic direction has been established for all aviation agencies to ensure alignment with national development goals. “Today’s engagement offers an opportunity for open dialogue and alignment of efforts to build a safe, efficient, and globally competitive aviation sector,” Keyamo said.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and collaboration in the quarterly engagement. Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Head of the CRDCU, through the Aviation Sector Manager, Dr. Hendrick Odige, also commended the Minister and agency heads for their dedication to safety and operational efficiency.
During presentations, aviation agencies highlighted achievements in airport infrastructure, staff training, safety and security systems, inter agency collaboration, and advances in Performance Based Navigation (PBN). They collectively reaffirmed their commitment to adhering to ICAO standards and global best practices.
The engagement drew representatives from the Association of Pilots, Airline Agents, Nigeria Customs Service
, the NDLEA, and other industry professionals, fostering an inclusive discussion on the sector’s future growth and actionable strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry.
