SpAd. Special Duties & Projects to Hon. Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Dev. . Audio/visual producer/Director,Renowned 3D Animator, Special Fx, Events.
Club legend Cesar Azpilicueta will retire from football at the end of the season.
Congratulations on a superb career, Azpi, and thank you for everything. 💙
Yesterday, the Bayelsa State-owned airline named PIONEER AIRLINE was presented its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by the regulator, the NIgeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), signalling the beginning of its commercial operations. Afterwards, the airline team led by its MD, Capt. Ungbuku, paid me a courtesy call to present the AOC to me.
I remarked at the occasion that the rise in State-owned airlines is as a result of excellent aviation policies put in place by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that we should look out for more of such in the immediate future. This would significantly assist air travellers to have more choices of airlines with which they can travel.
THE NDC AND ITS ‘419’ DECISION.
The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians. It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit.
So, what happens if Peter Obi changes his Party, assuming he wins, or as leader of the NDC he gets the NEC of the Party to reverse the decision, if in the unlikely event he wins? This is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians; it smacks of outright desperation and actually accentuates the dilemma of the opposition a whole in the 2027 Presidential elections.
It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, @fkeyamo , joined Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency @_PastorUmoEno , on board Ibom Air for the maiden international flight from Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, to Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. @GhanaPresidency
The flight, which departed today, Saturday, May 2, 2026, officially marks the launch of international operations at the upgraded airport, following approval from the Federal Government. This milestone positions Akwa Ibom State as a rising hub for regional and global air connectivity.
What a week of winning activity in Nigeria’s Aviation industry!
From improved ICAO ratings to the IATA naming the Hon.Minister as one of Africa’s Top 4 Aviators in Addis Ababa.
The landmark resolution of the 20-year MM2 concession dispute.
Federal approval for the establishment of a National Aircraft Leasing Company (a game-changing private sector-driven SPV).
And now, this historic maiden international flight from Uyo.
Nigeria’s aviation sector is soaring with reforms, investor confidence, and expanded connectivity like never before.
The best is yet to come!
Just yesterday, I secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council, presided over by the President, for the establishment of the Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company. The company will be an incorporated Special Purpose Vehicle that will be fully privately funded, commercially operated, and impose no obligation on the Federal Government to invest, but will enjoy strategic government backing. The government’s primary function will be to provide sovereign guarantees to international lessors and manufacturers, offering security for asset repossession and reducing perceived risks for investors. And for this, the government holds equity through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The aim of the company is to act as an SPV for the acquisition or leasing of aircraft globally for the use of local operators, giving the local airlines the option to further lease these aircraft locally through a single credible entity with a sovereign backing.
This initiative seeks to enhance the capacity of local operators to service domestic routes (which are presently fraught with cancellations and delays) and empower them to compete with the foreign airlines that presently dominate the Nigerian market.
I explained further at a press briefing yesterday after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
Yesterday, the Federal Executive Council presided over by Mr. President approved my memo to end the 20-year old dispute between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Ltd over MM2 Airport in Lagos. For more than one year, we were locked in negotiations on how to get out of the impasse. These are just the highlights:
* Bi-Courtney wrote off the N132 billion court-assessed damages against the Federal Government.
* Bi-Courtney handed back MMI Airport (the old local Terminal) which the Supreme Court ordered to be handed over to it.
* Bi-Courtney gave up its right to exclusively run any private or domestic airport in and around Lagos State as affirmed by the courts.
* Bi-Courtney agreed to commence the payment of Concession fee due and payable under the Concession Agreement dated 24th April 2003 from when the settlement agreement is executed. Because of the dispute, the Federal Government has also lost its own part of the revenue for nearly 20 years.
In exchange for the above, the Federal Government agreed to the following:
* FG also wrote off all the concession fees Bi-Courtney has not paid since the concession agreement was signed nearly 20 years ago due to the disputes.
* FG returned the uncompleted hotel and conference centre opposite the airport (which it has previously revoked) to Bi-Courtney to complete and operate within 24 months and from which the FG will have its own share.
* FG agreed to move regional flights to MM2 (which had been approved, but not operational for years now) to the extent of its capacity.
* FG agreed to give Bi-Courtney more land space to expand the apron of MM2 to accommodate more airplanes.
Below was my press briefing after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council meeting:
Yesterday, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I had separate meetings with my counterpart in Saudi Arabia, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh bin Nasser AIJasser, and the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. I was accompanied by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo, and key Directors of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Our discussions centred on the following:
1. The need to review our existing Bi-lateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries to meet modern realities.
2. The need to review the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2015 prescribing the sharing formula of pilgrims to be airlifted by airlines of both countries yearly.
3. The slots allocations for the Nigerian airlines (flag carriers) for this year’s Hajj operations.
4. The percentage of pilgrims to be lifted by both the airlines of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria this year.
5. A number of issues concerning the operational efficiency of Nigerian Airlines for this year’s Hajj
Both teams had frank and fruitful discussions on all issues and key decisions taken regarding the Hajj have been immediately communicated to our designated airlines.
Today, in Marrakesh, Morroco, I officially received Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) during the opening session of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS). I was also a special guest at a Ministerial Round Table where I spoke on ‘Future of Aviation Workforce in Nigeria’, highlighting the country’s efforts to address the issue of skills gap within the aviation ecosystem
The presentation of the landmark document marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector, signaling a bold and structured pathway for the industry’s transformation over the next few decades.
The Civil Aviation Master Plan is anchored on globally recognized pillars critical to building a modern, competitive, and resilient aviation sector such as infrastructure and technology development. This includes the modernization of airport infrastructure to accommodate increasing passenger and cargo traffic, alongside the deployment of advanced technologies, including unmanned aerial systems (Drones).
FAAN Appeals for Patience and Cooperation as Go Cashless Programme Commences
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to sincerely appreciate all motorists and airport users as the FAAN Go Cashless Programme officially comes into full operation today at the access gates of the MMIA and the NAIA in alignment with the Federal Government’s directive on cashless transactions.
We acknowledge the traffic build-up experienced at the access gates today. Despite the wide publicity, notices, and repeated announcements issued ahead of the commencement date, a significant number of motorists opted to register for their Go Cashless cards at the gates this morning. This understandably created pressure on the toll lanes and resulted in temporary gridlock.
While some initial adjustment challenges were anticipated, as with any major system transition, the Authority had provided ample notice to encourage early registration and avoid congestion on day one.
That said, FAAN remains deeply empathetic to the inconvenience experienced.
To ease the situation, we have:
● Deployed additional personnel to the access gates
● Increased registration points to fast-track first-time card issuance
● Enhanced on-ground coordination to improve traffic flow
We appeal for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work diligently to stabilise and streamline the process. This transition is designed to deliver long-term benefits — faster processing, improved transparency, reduced cash handling risks, and a more efficient airport environment for all.
We therefore urge all motorists who are yet to obtain their Go Cashless cards to take advantage of the expanded registration support being provided and to plan ahead for subsequent visits.
Together, with your cooperation, we will make this process seamless.
FAAN remains committed to providing a safe, efficient, and world-class airport experience.
OPERATION GO CASHLESS
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is implementing a fully cashless, contactless payment system across all airport payment points nationwide.
Effective Date: March 1, 2026
Enjoy faster, safer, and more convenient transactions at our airports.
Go Cashless. Go Seamless.
Pick up your Go-Cashless card at all commercial offices and Access Gates nationwide.
Yesterday, I led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Yaoundé, Cameroon to meet my Cameroonian counterpart, the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest NgalNgallé Bibehe, to formally sign the Bilateral Agreement on Technical Aeronautical Search and Rescue Operations.
This agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon enhances airspace safety by enabling faster and more coordinated responses to aviation emergencies across our shared borders.
I was accompanied by the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and key Directors from the Ministry, ensuring a unified approach to implementation.
Yesterday in Abuja, I flagged off the construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja.
The site is at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the new complex will integrate executive management functions with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, safety oversight and immediate responsiveness.
Yesterday in Abuja, I flagged off the construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja.
The site is at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the new complex will integrate executive management functions with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, safety oversight and immediate responsiveness.