Nigeria's Aviation Industry Suffers as Over 100 Airlines Shut Down in 40 Years, Says Minister Festus Keyamo

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that more than 100 airlines have shut down in the country over the past 40 years.

This alarming trend underscores the high mortality rate within Nigeria's aviation industry, despite the nation's status as a major hub for domestic air travel across Africa.

Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of Air Peace, West Africa's largest airline, held in Lagos, Keyamo highlighted the systemic challenges that have plagued the sector.

He noted, "More than a hundred airlines have gone in the last 40 years," referencing once-prominent carriers like Concord and Bellview. Keyamo further explained, "If you look at the history of airlines in Nigeria, you'll discover that it's difficult for them to survive 10 years and still look healthy."

The minister attributed these challenges to various systemic issues, even as Nigeria contributes approximately 80% of the continent's domestic travel, with the Lagos-Abuja route ranked as the busiest in Africa.

"We have the population, we have the traffic," he said. "So it is surprising that if we have this traffic, why are the airlines not surviving?"

Keyamo assured the audience of the government's commitment to addressing these pressing issues and supporting the sector's growth. Meanwhile, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, credited the airline's decade-long success to a vision that prioritized job creation and economic development over profit maximization.

"Air Peace is a product of deep thinking and a desire to make a far-reaching impact in a country I love deeply. Profit was not the primary driving force behind its establishment," Onyema remarked.