The Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), led a distinguished Nigerian delegation to the Airline Economics Conference holding in Dublin, Ireland, from January 12th to 15th, 2025, at the invitation of Boeing Company.
During a fireside chat, the Minister proudly highlighted the significant advancements achieved in Nigeria’s aviation sector under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Addressing a global audience of aviation leaders, lessors, and financiers, the Minister emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to transforming its aviation sector into a global player. He advocated for partnerships and innovative financing solutions, including affordable operating leases, to bolster the sector’s growth and development.
In a well-received interview with the global aviation news, the Minister addressed critical industry concerns such as airline insurance placement, the reliability of Nigerian airlines in meeting financial obligations under challenging conditions, and issues surrounding withholding tax policies. He also showcased Nigeria’s plans to establish global-standard Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, implementing cost-effective aircraft maintenance to encourage dry-leasing models and concession airports to reputable global operators to enhance their appeal and competitiveness.

The Minister’s efforts to position Nigeria as a West African aviation hub, leveraging its strategic location and population, earned widespread commendation. His leadership has been pivotal in removing Nigeria from the global aviation blacklist with the signing of the IDERA agreement, setting an example for other African nations.
Accompanying the Minister were notable stakeholders, including Senator Ahmed Buhari (Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation), Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba (The House Committee Chairman on Aviation) , members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Chris Najomo (Director-General, NCAA), representatives of the Nigerian Insurers Association, and senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The Hon. Minister will be making a guest appearance at the panel session today, Tuesday, January 14th, the second day of the conference, along with other panelists, to discuss taxonomy, the Cape Town Convention (CTC), and other key industry issues.
Stay tuned for more details…