Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has urged Boeing, the aircraft manufacturing giant, and other investors to report any Nigerian official who requests bribes as a condition for doing business in the country. He made this call during a meeting with Boeing executives in Seattle, Washington, where he led a delegation of major airline executives under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and other key stakeholders in the civil aviation sector.
Keyamo reassured Boeing that the Nigerian government is committed to creating a business-friendly environment and that any attempts to extort or frustrate foreign investors would not be tolerated. “For new investors coming to Nigeria, you are welcome. If anyone tries to frustrate you by asking for gratification or anything, report them to me, and I will take action,” he stated emphatically. “We want to open the doors for everyone to come into Nigeria.”
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to protect aircraft leased to domestic operators, providing assurances that these aircraft would be safe and repossessed if necessary, following due process. “I’m giving a personal guarantee, beyond compliance with the law, that I will not tolerate the frustration of any agreement with any lessor. The safety of these aircraft, whether through the judicial process or through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which I supervise, is guaranteed,” he affirmed.
Keyamo also addressed concerns about the speed of processing air operating licenses, promising that efforts have been made to expedite the process. “Licenses are now issued faster and quicker, and the operators can attest to that,” he said.
During the meeting, the minister lamented Nigeria’s underutilization of its bilateral air service agreements (BASA) due to the lack of capacity among local operators. He assured stakeholders that the ministry is working to create an enabling environment and implement the right policies and regulatory frameworks to help domestic airlines thrive.
In a bid to strengthen relationships and enhance Nigeria’s aviation sector, the federal government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the operational efficiency and safety of Nigerian airlines, positioning them for growth in the global aviation market. Keyamo emphasized that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, has a lot to offer and is committed to fostering a symbiotic relationship with international partners like Boeing.
“Our goal as a government is to support local operators by creating the right environment, policies, and regulations for their growth and development,” Keyamo concluded. “We are here to enhance air capacity and appeal for your support and cooperation as we work together to improve Nigeria’s aviation sector.”
