Keyamo Slams Nigeria Air Deal With Ethiopian Airline, Says President Will Take Final Decision

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has slammed the agreement between the immediate-past administration and Ethiopian Airlines over the management of Nigeria Air.

Six months after an elaborate ceremony on May 26, 2023, to celebrate the arrival of its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, Nigeria Air has remained dormant ever since.

Founded in 2018, Nigeria Air’s ownership stakes are divided among Ethiopian Airlines (49 percent), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (46 percent), and the Federal Government (5 percent)

Speaking to State House Correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rick Villa, Keyamo said President Bola Tinubu will determine the next step for the Nigeria Air Project.

He argued that it would be “irresponsible“ of the Federal Government to follow through on a deal that gives monopoly of Nigeria’s aviation industry to a foreign entity.

The Minister revealed that some of the details of the agreement signed with the major stakeholder in the deal, Ethiopian Airlines, required another critical look in the nation’s interest, citing waivers and the staffing arrangements.

Keyamo, however, stated that all details are before the President for consideration, and Tinubu will make the final decision.