What Has Festus Keyamo Been Doing In Nigeria’s Aviation Sector?
On assumption of office about one year ago, the Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) developed five Key Point Indicators (KPIs), which he has pursued religiously since 2024.
He ensured creation of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection and Cargo Services Directorates in the aviation agencies, including Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure enhancement of consumer protection and freight development in the sector.
Minister Keyamo granted the request of FAAN to relocate its corporate headquarters back to Lagos from Abuja to minimize financial waste and enhance efficiency of operations.
Keyamo has introduced a policy shift from foreign strength to local content capacity in the sector. This informed his directive in 2024 that foreign airlines patronize local catering from January 2025. Keyamo has also intensified efforts to strengthen local airlines capacity. He has held meetings with Aviation Working Group and signed Memorandum of Understandings with major aircraft manufacturers on training, aircraft leasing, MRO development and technical support for local airlines.
He believes in protection of local airlines from foreign intimidation and championed government backing for Air Peace in the difficult battle to get approvals and commence direct flights on the Lagos-London route. This yielded results in March 2024.
He pursued vigorously and achieved the signing of the Cape Town Convention Practice Directions by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to enhance foreign investor confidence and make it easier for local airlines to acquire aircraft on dry lease. The gazzeted copies of the IDERA and the Cape Town Convention was unveiled by the Minister in 2024.
His equal rights protection turf was activated with his presentation of a memo to Federal Executive Council requesting that toll fees at the airports be paid by every user, irrespective of status. He got Mr. President’s approval
This innovative minister launched the NCAA Consumer Protection portal and staff uniforms in September 2024 to discourage poor passenger service quality by airlines through collective stakeholder monitoring
He brought industrial harmony into the sector and minimized workers’ strikes, prioritizing workers’ interest by positing that first condition for winning the bid in the proposed concession process of Nigeria’s airports is that concessionaire must first, settle labour related issues the airports involved.
Keyamo played a critical role in restoration of Emirates flights to Nigeria. In October 2024, he met with Brazilian authorities and jointly set up a committee on Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) arrangement.
Due to his concerns for improvement of weather forecasts, Keyamo has requested for more World Meteorological organization (WMO) presence in Nigeria. He even made a broadcast of weather forecast himself, in 2024.
In November 2024, he engaged airline operators and Nigeria’s insurance companies on partnerships towards favourable aviation insurance conditions for Nigerian airlines.
He introduced initiatives to enhance airports service delivery and maintain cleanliness, including measures to stamp out touts, extortion and improve Nigeria’s image at the airports. In December 2024, he commissioned the refurbished Wing-E Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport and CNG Buses that were acquired.
Keyamo has made a case for women empowerment in the aviation industry since assumption of office and under his watch, the industry has more number of women holding leadership positions in government agencies than the industry has ever had.
He is working currently towards an innovation; the hosting the first ever Nigeria International Air Show.
Keyamo’s activities in the last one year, has attracted awards to him, including an Award For Visible Impact In Public Service from Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).
