By Aminat Bakare
Appointed Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on August 21, 2023, Barrister Festus Keyamo has quickly emerged as a transformative force in Nigeria’s aviation sector. His strategic leadership, relentless drive, and clear vision for an improved industry have set him apart. Barrister Keyamo’s efforts are shaping the future of Nigerian aviation, repositioning the country’s aviation Industry.
According to Dr. Alex Nwuba, Second Vice President of the Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative and President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria (AOPAN), who accords the Honorable Minister very high marks for the work he has done over the past year, Barrister Keyamo “put an end to the Nigeria Air debacle, and very recently, he took steps to improve opportunities for airlines to lease aircraft from the global markets by addressing the Airline Working Group’s concerns about aircraft recoverability. This should open up opportunities to lease rather than buy aircraft, leading to fleet expansion for both domestic and international operations.”
With almost two years in office, it is remarkable to note some of the key steps that the Honourable Minister has adopted in rebuilding the Nigerian aviation industry.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria after his re-appointment applauded Keyamo’s exceptional leadership and ability to set a new standard for the aviation sector. The airline body said: ”His relentless efforts and advocacy for policies that ensure the ease of doing business have brought about significant positive changes. Under his stewardship, we have never had it this good.”
Taking Charge
One of Keyamo’s first moves after taking office was to engage directly with aviation stakeholders, including airline operators, regulators, and infrastructure developers. This collaborative approach allowed him to truly understand the industry’s challenges. By doing so, he ensured that any reforms were not just top-down, but solutions that worked for everyone involved, from the airlines to the passengers.
During these discussions, Keyamo emphasized his five-point agenda which focused on “Advancing safety, infrastructure, support for local operators, human capacity development and revenue generation” which would serve as a blueprint for Nigeria’s long-term aviation success. His focus on modernizing infrastructure, improving safety, and creating opportunities for local airlines highlights his vision for a thriving aviation industry.
Almost two years into his tenure, Keyamo has not only disrupted the status quo but is also steadily restoring investor confidence. His promise to leave no stone unturned in addressing the sector’s deep-rooted issues has been evident in his approach. Even if it meant confronting powerful interests, Keyamo has remained resolute in his mission to rebuild trust. And so far, he has delivered on this promise.
According to Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, the Minister has “settled in” well. Despite facing criticism for tough decisions in the early days of his appointment, Ohunayo acknowledges that the positives outweigh the negatives. He commends Barr. Keyamo’s ability to prioritize the nation’s interests over personal gain, especially in his dealings with various bodies and in policy implementation.
International Moves That Matter
Keyamo’s tenure has been marked by significant strides on the international stage. A standout achievement was his quick resolution of the issue of trapped airline funds in the aviation sector. In June 2024, just a year after his appointment, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirmed that Nigeria had cleared 98% of its blocked funds, which had previously amounted to $850 million and had become an international embarrassment to the country. This action was a game-changer, enabling international airlines like Emirates to resume flights to Nigeria; a major win for Nigerian travelers and the country’s aviation image.
Keyamo also worked relentlessly to renew and expand Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with other nations. This move wasn’t just about increasing the number of flights but also about opening new markets for Nigerian airlines. In 2025, Keyamo’s efforts saw Air Peace connecting Lagos to London Gatwick, while agreements with countries like UAE, Jamaica, Namibia, and Canada promise fresh opportunities for Nigerian aviation.
Additionally, under Keyamo’s leadership, Nigeria was removed from the Aviation Working Group’s (AWG) watchlist of non-compliant countries under the Cape Town convention. This came after the signing of the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) by the Minister and Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo. This was followed by an improvement in Nigeria’s compliance score on the Cape Town Convention, which climbed from 49% to 70.5% and eventually to 75.5%, placing the country in the ‘high category’. Just recently this single action facilitated the swift repossession of Green Africa Airways’ aircraft by the lessor ACIA Aero Leasing.
According to AON: “Through his dedication to implementing the Cape Town Convention, Honorable Keyamo played a pivotal role in improving Nigeria’s aviation rating from 40% to about 80% in a short period of time. His efforts in ensuring compliance with international standards facilitated greater access to aircraft financing and leasing, which bolstered the operational capacity of airlines and contributed significantly to the sector’s growth.”
Building for the Future
While the Honourable Minister has worked to address immediate concerns, he also has a long-term vision for Nigerian aviation. A significant part of this strategy is the establishment of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities within the country. This would allow Nigerian airlines to service their aircraft locally, reducing maintenance costs and creating jobs in the process. In March 2025, Barrister Keyamo announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing had been signed, paving the way for the creation of a state-of-the-art MRO facility in Nigeria.
In the area of airports development the Honorable Minister has also left his marks. Dr. Nwuba noted that the sector have seen remarkable improvement in our airports, which polishes the nation’s image for visitors and Nigerians alike. There is a notable increase in international airlines operating in Nigeria, and the prospects for growth are positive.
Under the minister’s administration, the major Nigerian aviation parastatals witnessed noticeable changes. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority saw the launch of the Consumer Protection
Portal which enables better relationship between the agency and passengers while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s headquarter was relocated back to Lagos saving the structural buildings which was not being utilized fully. Remarkably, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) attained its ISO 9001:2015 certification after going through a rigorous process. Also, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) achieved the Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 prestigious Platinum Member status in the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Programme.
All of these notable achievements was as a result of the Honourable Minister’s dedication to seeing improvements in all facets of the Nigeria aviation industry.
Challenges Remain
Despite these achievements, Barr. Keyamo’s work is far from done. Several challenges remain in the domestic aviation sector. Dr. Nwuba says that “while the Honourable Minister has made strides in many areas, there is still a pressing need to address domestic issues that hinder the sector’s expansion.” Dr. Nwuba notes that the Minister must “focus on deep reforms in civil aviation regulations, such as creating entry-level opportunities in a sector where many are trained without prospects for employment.”
He further stresses the importance of creating structures that support domestic airline growth, including addressing issues like foreign exchange availability, improved domestic financing, and viable leasing options that don’t come with double-digit interest rates. General aviation, which forms the foundation of the entire industry, also needs more attention, as does the viability of regional airports across Nigeria. Dr. Nwuba points out that the Minister must begin to act on these issues, as the solutions are relatively simple and could lead to significant improvements in the long-term success of Nigerian aviation.
Specifically, the Honourable Minister should focus his attention on creating a real hub of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. As the continent implements the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the Minister may draw inspiration from Ethiopia, Angola and Rwanda who are building ultra-new large airports to position their country’s aviation sector for the future.
Despite these hurdles, Barr. Festus Keyamo’s leadership offers a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s aviation future. His clear vision, combined with a practical, action-oriented approach, has already begun to create meaningful changes. From improving safety and infrastructure to negotiating international agreements and establishing local MRO facilities, Keyamo is laying the foundation for a competitive and sustainable aviation sector.
Recognition and Impact
Keyamo’s transformative work has not gone unnoticed. His ability to implement real change in such a short period has earned him numerous accolades. He was honored with the Super Minister Award from Street Journal for his efforts in
reshaping Nigeria’s aviation landscape. He was also named The New Telegraph’s “Best Minister of the Year 2024,” an award that recognizes his substantial contributions to the sector. Furthermore, Keyamo was recognized as Minister of the Year by The Sun and received praise from Daily Independent, underscoring his growing influence and the positive impact of his leadership.
Conclusion
With his continued focus on reform, Nigeria’s aviation industry is poised for a brighter, more connected future. It’s clear that under Keyamo’s leadership, the sky is the limit for Nigerian aviation.