No Plan to Revive Botched Nigeria Air — FG

Yesterday, the Federal Government cleared the air (pun intended!) on its intentions regarding the once-troubled Nigeria Air project. Spoiler alert: it’s not coming back.

If you’ve heard whispers about a potential comeback for the national carrier with Ethiopian Airlines, let me stop you. Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, recently stirred the pot with some comments during his handover speech in Abuja. But hold your horses! It’s not what you think.

Dr. Kana shared his marching orders, which included exploring the possibility of a national carrier and sprucing up our airports. Naturally, folks jumped to conclusions about a Nigeria Air revival.

In a follow-up statement, Kana clarified: “I never said we’re reviving the botched Nigeria Air deal with Ethiopian Airlines. That’s not on the table.” He said that the idea of a national carrier could still be explored, but only if it’s beneficial for Nigeria and aligns with the directives of President Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.

For those keeping tabs, Nigeria Air was a brainchild of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. The project faced a rocky landing due to corruption scandals and legal battles. It was officially grounded last August when the courts ordered a halt to the plan. So, yeah, it’s been a turbulent journey for this project.

Dr. Kana didn’t hesitate to express his dedication to the ministry’s broader goals. He’s all in on collaborating with Festus Keyamo to bring fresh ideas to the aviation sector. With an eye on innovation and efficiency, the focus seems to be on brighter skies ahead, not revisiting past turbulence.

While the dream of a national carrier isn’t entirely off the radar, the government is clearly treading carefully this time: no hasty takeoffs, no crash landings—just a steady climb towards a more robust aviation industry.