Nigeria’s aviation industry is on track for significant expansion, with passenger numbers forecasted to hit 25.7 million by 2029, according to projections cited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the maiden Nigeria International Airshow in Abuja.
Represented by SGF George Akume, the President said the sector has recorded strong growth, handling 15.89 million passengers in 2023 alone. Annual revenues are also expected to reach $2.58 billion by 2029, driven by rising travel demand and the entry of new international and domestic carriers.
Tinubu noted that the sector’s trajectory has been strengthened by ongoing modernisation efforts, including major upgrades across six airports and a ₦712 billion refurbishment of the Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport—one of the busiest gateways in Africa.
He emphasised that improvements in regulatory practices have placed Nigeria at the top of the continent in terms of compliance with global aviation standards, allowing airlines to secure lower-cost financing and attract new partnerships.
International connectivity is also expanding, marked by the return of Emirates and Uganda Airlines, the resumption of Air Peace’s Lagos–London route, and newly signed Bilateral Air Services Agreements.
Minister Festus Keyamo said the Airshow provides a platform for investors, manufacturers, airlines, and innovators to deepen collaboration and shape the future of aviation in Nigeria.
He added that the event would inspire a new generation of young Nigerians to pursue careers in aerospace engineering, drone technology, advanced avionics, and aviation security.
“Aviation is now one of Nigeria’s fastest-advancing sectors,” Keyamo said. “What we are building is more than an industry—it is a regional powerhouse that supports economic growth, national security, tourism, and innovation.”
