Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing mounting pressure as global crises, rising operational costs and ongoing reforms converge to disrupt flight operations and passenger movement, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said.
Speaking during a public affairs interview on Tuesday, the minister explained that recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have significantly affected Nigeria’s international air travel, particularly through major transit hubs.
According to Keyamo, the disruption of key routes through cities such as Dubai and Doha has created a ripple effect, leaving many Nigerian travellers stranded and forcing airlines to adjust schedules.
“The aviation sector is feeling the immediate impact of the crisis in the Middle East. Critical international routes have been disrupted, and airlines have had to rework their operations in unprecedented ways,” he said.
He noted that although limited flight operations have resumed, the disruption has affected travel to Europe, Asia and other global destinations.
Keyamo said the Federal Government has been working with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, to evacuate Nigerians affected by the crisis.
He explained that many travellers were caught in transit or forced to delay journeys due to widespread cancellations.
“Our priority has been to ensure that Nigerians stranded abroad are safely evacuated while working with airlines to gradually restore normal operations,” he said.
The minister added that the situation highlights how global instability can directly impact local aviation operations and citizen mobility.
Beyond route disruptions, Keyamo pointed to rising aviation fuel prices as another major challenge confronting airlines.
He explained that the cost of Jet A1 fuel, which powers aircraft, is tied to global oil markets and has surged in response to the crisis.
“Airlines are already dealing with higher operational costs, and this inevitably affects ticket pricing and scheduling. Aviation has no immediate alternative to jet fuel at scale, making the sector particularly vulnerable,” he said.
Keyamo noted that while the government is engaging airlines to prevent exploitative pricing, the sector remains exposed to global energy volatility.
He added that although discussions on cleaner aviation energy are ongoing globally, alternatives remain limited.
“Decarbonisation in aviation is still at a very early stage. Most airlines continue to rely on conventional fuel, so the short-term focus is managing costs and protecting passengers,” he said.
Cashless Policy and Airport Reforms
The minister also addressed the Federal Government’s cashless payment policy at airports, describing it as a measure aimed at improving transparency and blocking revenue leakages.
According to him, the policy—approved by the Federal Executive Council—requires all airport payments to be processed electronically and linked to government accounts.
“Our goal is to eliminate cash transactions that previously allowed mismanagement and corruption. Every payment now goes directly into the Treasury Single Account,” he said.
He acknowledged that the rollout initially caused delays as passengers adjusted to the system but noted that compliance has improved over time.
A temporary hybrid system allowing both cash and electronic payments has been introduced to ease the transition.
Airport Upgrade and Infrastructure Development
On infrastructure, Keyamo provided updates on the ongoing redevelopment of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, particularly Terminal One.
He said construction firm China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has already mobilised to site, with a temporary terminal put in place to ensure uninterrupted operations.
“The temporary facility allows airlines to continue processing passengers while we prepare for the full reconstruction of the old terminal,” he said.
The minister confirmed that the project is expected to be completed within 22 months.
He also addressed a recent fire incident at the terminal, noting that while some equipment was damaged, it has not significantly affected the overall reconstruction timeline.
Keyamo described the current situation as a critical moment for Nigeria’s aviation industry, shaped by both global shocks and domestic reforms.
“We are navigating a complex environment. International crises, fuel price volatility and structural reforms are all happening at once. Our task is to manage these challenges while maintaining service quality,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to be patient as reforms take full effect, noting that transitioning from decades of cash-based systems and adapting to new realities will take time.
“The long-term benefits—transparency, efficiency and improved infrastructure—are worth the temporary challenges,” he added.
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