The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the Nigeria Air project remains suspended “indefinitely.” Keyamo made this statement while outlining the achievements of the aviation sector at the 3rd ministerial updates on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Abuja.
Additionally, Keyamo hinted at plans for resuming cargo flights between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
In January, Keyamo revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had initiated an investigation into the controversial Nigeria Air deal, which was signed during the tenure of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. “There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report,” Keyamo stated.
Last August, shortly after assuming office, Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), criticized the deal made by Sirika and suspended the entire project to allow for a proper audit of the contracts. This arrangement had been hurriedly unveiled just days before the end of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The controversy surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air, led to the resignation of veteran aviator Girma Wake as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines. The then Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Capt. Dapo Olumide, clarified that the aircraft used to unveil the national carrier was a legitimately chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines, which was returned after the unveiling in May 2023.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation had labeled the launch of Nigeria Air as a fraud.
