The federal government has reiterated that it will not directly invest in establishing a national carrier but remains open to viable proposals from private and public entities, both local and international.
This clarification was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday.
According to Keyamo, the government’s priority is to create a supportive policy environment that fosters the growth and sustainability of existing domestic airline operators, rather than directly funding a national carrier project.
“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,” Keyamo wrote.
He further emphasized that the ministry is currently focused on policy development to strengthen the domestic aviation sector.
“Before that happens, we are concentrating on developing policies to ensure the growth and survival of our local operators,” he added.
The statement comes amid ongoing public debate and interest over Nigeria’s national carrier project, especially following controversies surrounding the previous administration’s attempt to launch “Nigeria Air.”
Keyamo’s clarification indicates a shift towards a private sector-led aviation development model, aligning with broader government efforts to reduce public spending and enhance industry competitiveness.
