By Adeyemi Adekunle
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive to the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, to revive the Nigeria Air project. The president also tasked Kana with transforming the state of Nigeria’s airports, ensuring they meet global operational standards.
This announcement marks a bold stride in the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and underscores the government’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in African aviation. Addressing staff members and agency heads during a strategic meeting in Abuja, Dr. Kana conveyed the president’s vision and his determination to see it realized.
“While receiving my deployment letter, I was given very clear instructions with two primary tasks from His Excellency, Mr. President,” said Kana. “The first is to ensure the Nigeria Air project becomes a reality. The second is to sanitize our airports nationwide to ensure they align with global best practices.”
The Nigeria Air project, which was initially conceived in 2018, has had a tumultuous history. Proposed as a flagship initiative to reestablish a national carrier after the demise of Nigeria Airways, the project was envisioned as a cornerstone of national pride and economic advancement.
However, delays, controversies, and a court nullification of a partnership deal with Ethiopian Airlines derailed its launch. These setbacks cast doubt on the project’s feasibility and led to its suspension last year.
President Tinubu’s directive to rekindle the dream of a national carrier is a strong signal of the administration’s resolve to address past shortcomings. Dr. Kana believes that the establishment of Nigeria Air is both a necessity and a timely intervention. “All of us will agree that there is no better time to have Nigeria Air than now,” he declared, reiterating the urgency of the task.
The revival of the Nigeria Air project is not the only ambitious goal of the Tinubu administration. The directive to overhaul Nigeria’s airports is equally significant. Passengers traveling through Nigerian airports have long faced challenges, from inadequate facilities to inefficiencies that hamper seamless operations.
Airports, as critical gateways for tourism, commerce, and investment, must meet international standards to boost Nigeria’s reputation and global connectivity. Dr. Kana pledged to focus on improving passenger experiences by implementing measures that would make airports efficient, secure, and welcoming to all travelers.
“We want our passengers to feel at home, to move seamlessly from one point of the airport to another, and to enjoy the same world-class services they experience at major airports across the globe,” Kana stated during the meeting.
Working alongside Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Kana has assured Nigerians of his commitment to achieving these transformational goals.
Their collaboration will involve engagement with aviation stakeholders, private sector partners, and the Nigerian public to build transparency and foster trust in the process. The broader objective is to use initiatives like the Nigeria Air project to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and solidify Nigeria’s standing in regional and global aviation circles.
However, challenges loom large. Critics of the Nigeria Air project have pointed to the enormous financial implications and the potential for mismanagement. Previous attempts to launch a national carrier faltered due to lack of transparency and accountability.
Industry analysts caution that without clear financing plans and stakeholder cooperation, the project may face similar pitfalls. The aviation ministry must also navigate lingering legal disputes and restore public confidence to ensure broad support for this initiative.
Despite these obstacles, the administration appears determined to deliver on its promises. For Dr. Kana, the success of Nigeria Air and the rejuvenation of airports represent a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s aviation history. “It is a task that requires the effort and collaboration of every single player in the industry. Together, we will rewrite the narrative of aviation in Nigeria,” he asserted.
The stakes are high as the Tinubu administration embarks on this ambitious endeavor. Reviving Nigeria Air could serve as a transformative milestone for the economy, showcasing Nigeria’s ability to execute large-scale national projects with precision and purpose. Equally, the overhaul of airports would address long-standing issues while establishing new benchmarks for operational excellence.
As the administration works to translate its vision into action, Nigerians await concrete results that reflect genuine progress. If successful, these initiatives could signify a new era for the country’s aviation sector and contribute to its broader goals of economic diversification and global integration. .
