From left: Chief Executive officer, Acroconsult, Engr. Babatunde Obadofin; Regional Manager, NCAA, Barr. Aduragbemi Bukdateriba; Guest Speaker, former DG NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren; Host, Chief Executive officer, SAPTCO Communication Limited, Mr. Sam Adurogboye and his wife, Mrs. Adeola Sam Adurogboye; Representative of Minister of Aviation Mrs. Obiageli Orah; Representative of the Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Nowel Ngala and CEO, Kixcel Consulting Limited EGR. Koyode Ajiboye, during the Inaugural Lecture to Unveil SAPTCO Communication Limited, in Lagos on Wednesday
Minister of Aviation Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, has restated the Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening indigenous airlines declaring that there is no going back on efforts to continue to play the international aeropolitics to help Nigerian airlines.
He stated this on Wednesday at SAPTCO Communication Ltd Inaugural Lecture in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme: ‘International Aeropolitics: The Survival of Nigeria Carriers on London Route’, he said the sustainability of domestic airlines has received priority attention since the inception of this administration, adding that ‘government engaged countries around the world in order to maximize the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) with them in favour of our indigenous airlines.’
Keyamo, who was represented by Mrs Obiageli Orah, Director, Special Duties, FAAN, said the same passion to support domestic airlines also took government officials to some aircraft manufacturers and lessors like Boeing and others to advance the new narrative of collaboration for the carriers.
“I believe everyone here can easily bear witness to the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria has given tremendous support to our indigenous airlines to enable them build capacity. The whole purpose we toured the world was to reconnect our domestic airlines to international partners for new opportunities to increase their capacity. We have also continued to make policies and create enabling environment for our airlines to thrive.
“Let me reassure you all that we are resolved to continue to play the international aeropolitics to ensure that our indigenous airlines sustain the gains already made even as they continue to expand their routes while delivering excellent services.”, he said.
Also speaking, Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said the NCAA stands firm in its commitment to protect Nigerian interests, to advocate for fairness, and to create an environment where ‘our airlines do not merely survive, but thrive:
He attributed Air Peace’s succès on the Lagos – London route to o the doggedness if Nigeria to get involved in international aeropolitics
Whine describing the theme of the lecture as a narrative of identity, ambition, and the future of Nigeria’s place in global aviation, he said international aeropolitics has never been neutral but shaped by power, strategy, and by national pride.
He described the London route is a global battleground where only the strong, the prepared, and the well-supported can thrive.
“For many years, Nigeria has watched from the sidelines as foreign carriers dominated a market built on the strength of Nigerian passengers. But today, our story is changing, our carriers – as exemplified by Air Peace – have stepped forward with courage. They have taken risks. They have shown that Nigerian excellence is not a myth, but a reality. Their presence on the London route is more than a commercial venture; it is a declaration that Nigeria is ready to take its rightful place in the skies.”, he said.
Najomo, who identified challenges such as imbalanced agreements, high operating costs, global competition and structural limitations, however said: ‘our resolve is stronger. As regulators, we at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority will continually ensure Nigeria’s compliance rating in aviation safety and security by ICAO is impressive in order to give our operators a fair chance in the scrutiny by the international community. Our regulations must be fair, just, and globally in line with the highest standards.
“The NCAA stands firm in its commitment to protect Nigerian interests, to advocate for fairness, and to create an environment where our airlines do not merely survive, but thrive.The success of Nigerian carriers cannot be the task of one agency or one airline. It requires all of us (government, regulators, airport authorities, diplomats, and industry stakeholders) acting with unity of purpose. It requires us to believe in our own capacity, to support our airlines, and to demand the reciprocity and respect that our nation deserves.”
According to him, Nigeria has the talent, the market and the spirit to excel on global stage, adding ‘we simply must be ready to pull up our sleeves and do the work.
” International aeropolitics will continue to shape global aviation, but Nigeria must participate not as a passive observer, but as an assertive, strategic, and well-coordinated nation.The survival and, indeed, the success of Nigerian carriers on the London route is not only possible but inevitable, as long as we continue to act with unity, determination, and clarity of purpose”, he added.
