Nigeria Air Remains Suspended Indefinitely — Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has stated that the Nigeria Air project is "indefinitely" postponed. Keyamo mentioned this while recounting the aviation sector's achievements at the third ministerial report on Monday in Abuja. He also hinted at plans to resume cargo flights between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Back in January, the minister stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had launched an inquiry into the contentious Nigeria Air agreement, which was signed by the Federal Government during the tenure of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. He had said, "There is a criminal inquiry underway. "I have requested the report."

Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), faulted Sirika's deal last August, shortly after he was sworn in as minister, and suspended the entire arrangement, which was hurriedly unveiled days before the end of the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, to allow for proper contract auditing. The issue surrounding the founding of Nigeria's national airline, Nigeria Air, caused veteran aviator Girma Wake to step down as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines. Capt Dapo Olumide, the then-Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, stated that the aircraft used to unveil the country's national career was a legitimate chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines, and that the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the last day of the Buhari administration in May 2023. 

The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives Aviation Committees both labeled the Nigeria Air launch as a hoax.

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