Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to global air transport standards and facilitation protocols during his address at the ongoing 2025 ICAO Facilitation (FAL) Conference in Doha, Qatar.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, joined high-ranking figures in the global aviation community, including Qatar’s Minister of Transport, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani; President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano; ICAO secretary-general, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar and several directors general of civil aviation authorities from around the world. He used the occasion to spotlight Nigeria’s recent strides in aviation reforms and global collaboration.
“First, let me extend to you all very warm greetings and congratulations from our president, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he began. “I also wish to thank the Government of Qatar and the International Civil Aviation Organisation for convening this pivotal gathering that reinforces our collective commitment to advancing global air transport facilitation.”
Keyamo emphasised Nigeria’s long-standing role in ICAO since joining its Council in 1962 and noted the country’s active engagement in promoting aviation standards, particularly across Africa. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s ratification of key international air law instruments, including the Montreal Protocol and significant amendments to the Chicago Convention.
“Nigeria has been recognised as the leading African nation in compliance with global aviation standards, a feat made possible by our robust regulatory framework and the professionalism of our aviation workforce,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing reforms under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Keyamo cited key policy shifts, including Nigeria’s endorsement of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) and the issuance of a practice direction on deregistration and export requests of leased aircraft in September 2024. These reforms pushed Nigeria’s Aviation Working Group (AWG) Compliance Index from 49.5 per cent to 70.5 per cent.
He further noted that Nigeria’s signing of the IDERA (Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation) in December 2024 raised the compliance index to 75.5 per cent, moving the country into the AWG’s ‘High’ category and removing it from the group’s watchlist. These developments have improved aircraft accessibility and enhanced international investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The minister also outlined Nigeria’s recent advancements in border security and passenger facilitation, including the implementation of advanced passenger information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems. These technologies, implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP), are aimed at improving passenger screening and streamlining entry procedures.
He added that Nigeria had deployed e-Gates at its international airports to enhance clearance for holders of biometric passports, improve data collection, and strengthen national security operations.
Keyamo also praised Nigeria’s collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on capacity-building initiatives focused on using AP/PNR data for enhanced national security and law enforcement.
“As we gather here to chart the future of global air travel, Nigeria stands ready to support and align with innovative technologies and policies that promote seamless, secure and efficient aviation operations,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s full endorsement of the Doha Declaration on the Facilitation of International Air Transport and expressed the country’s readiness to work closely with global partners to build a connected, secure and resilient international aviation system.
