The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s aviation sector through strategic policies that promote local economic growth, workers’ rights and infrastructural development.
Speaking at the aviation stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, Keyamo emphasised the need for foreign airlines to patronise indigenous caterers, reiterating that compliance would be a key factor in approving airline schedules.
“I have said it before and I am saying it again – foreign airlines should patronise indigenous caterers. Otherwise, I will not sign the summer schedule,” he stated.
He then directed the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo to commence immediate engagement with airlines to ensure compliance.
The event was attended by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Kana alongside key aviation agency heads, including Najomo (NCAA), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku (FAAN), Prof. Charles Anosike (NiMET), Engr. Farouk Umar (NAMA, represented by Mr. John Tayo), Mustapha Abdullahi (AAAU), and directors from aviation agencies.
During the engagement, Keyamo addressed concerns raised by aviation workers’ unions regarding restrictions on union activities within airline organisations. He directed the NCAA to initiate discussions with airlines to ensure that workers’ rights to union membership and participation are upheld.
Furthermore, he assured union representatives of their active involvement in discussions on airport concessions, emphasising transparency in the process. He promised to instruct his special assistant on public-private partnerships (SA PPP) to engage union leaders and keep them updated on concession plans.
Keyamo also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has finalised plans for the reconstruction of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, along with potential concessions for smaller airports to improve efficiency and service delivery.
The forum provided a platform for open dialogue, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to collaborative decision-making and ensuring a sustainable, competitive aviation sector.
