Nigeria aims to become Africa’s air transport hub, says Aviation Minister

Nigeria is strategically positioned to become Africa’s leading air transportation hub, according to Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Speaking at the International Route Development Conference, Network Cargo 2024, held in Moscow, Russia, Keyamo emphasized the country’s unique geographical advantage and its vast untapped aviation potential.

The conference, which gathered transport ministers and industry leaders from across the globe, focused on strengthening international partnerships and raising standards in freight forwarding services.

During his address, Keyamo highlighted Nigeria’s central location, which places it equidistant from major global regions like South America, Europe, and Asia, making it an ideal hub for air travel.

“Nigeria is about 6 to 7 hours away from major destinations like Doha, Dubai, and Brazil,” Keyamo said. “With our population, we have the dream to develop a real hub for Africa. We are not just talking about being a hub; we are committed to making it a reality.”

Currently, Nigeria’s international air traffic is largely serviced by foreign carriers from countries such as Ethiopia, Egypt, and Morocco.

Keyamo emphasized the government’s commitment to reversing this trend by expanding the capacity of local airlines and ensuring that they play a dominant role in the nation’s aviation sector.

“Most of the flights originating from Nigeria are not indigenous. Airlines from Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, and other countries feed on our traffic. We want to change that,” Keyamo noted, stressing that local airlines need to be empowered to reclaim Nigeria’s skies.

Keyamo also outlined plans to expand Nigeria’s international air routes, particularly targeting direct flights to South America, a region currently underserved by Nigerian airlines.

“It is ironic that to fly to Brazil from Nigeria, one has to first travel east to Addis Ababa or go to Angola before heading west. We are working to open up direct routes from Nigeria to South America, addressing this gap in our aviation connectivity,” he said.

Nigeria’s ambition to become a central aviation hub in Africa is not new. Since the 1970s, successive Nigerian governments have sought to harness the nation’s strategic location and large population to develop a robust aviation sector.

The country’s flag carrier, Nigerian Airways, was once a dominant force in African aviation, with extensive routes across the continent. However, financial mismanagement and poor infrastructure led to its decline, and it was eventually liquidated in 2004.

In recent years, Nigeria has made efforts to revitalize its aviation sector, including attempts to launch a new national airline, Nigeria Air.

Although the project has faced several delays, Keyamo’s speech indicates a renewed commitment from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen domestic airlines and position Nigeria as a key player in global aviation once again.