The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to introduce the Fly Nigeria Act, a policy aimed at strengthening the nation’s aviation industry by requiring government officials to prioritize local airlines for official trips.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this plan during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held today in Abuja.
Promoting Nigerian Airlines Through Legislative Backing
Keyamo emphasized that the government is actively working on pushing the Fly Nigeria Act through the National Assembly. The proposed policy is modeled after similar legislative measures in other countries, including the Fly America Act in the United States and the Fly India Act in India.
“We are in the process of pushing the Fly Nigeria Act to the National Assembly,” he stated. “Most major countries have their own ‘Fly Act’ to promote their national airlines, and Nigeria must not be left behind.”
Under the proposed law, all government-sponsored travel—both domestic and international—must be booked exclusively on Nigerian airlines, unless no local carrier operates on the required route.
“Only when a local airline does not operate on a particular route can an international airline be used,” Keyamo clarified.
A Strategic Economic Policy
Beyond its role as an aviation policy, Keyamo stressed that the Fly Nigeria Act is a strategic initiative designed to drive economic growth.
“This is not just an aviation policy,” he stated. “It is an economic strategy aimed at keeping aviation revenue within Nigeria, boosting employment opportunities, and expanding our local airline industry.”
According to him, the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, with the aviation sector playing a crucial role in achieving this target.
“The Fly Nigeria Act is almost ready in draft form,” he revealed. “It aims to boost business within the country and contribute significantly to the $1 trillion economy that the President envisions.”
Formal Approval Process Underway
Keyamo also disclosed that the government is actively progressing with the formal process of adopting the Fly Nigeria Act.
“Once the Fly Nigeria Act is finalized,” he said, “we will present it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. After that, we will take it to the National Assembly for legislative backing, ensuring that local airlines are given priority on international routes before foreign carriers.”
The minister reassured stakeholders that the Act is part of a larger reform strategy to make Nigerian airlines globally competitive while securing more revenue for the country.
Expected Benefits of the Fly Nigeria Act
The introduction of the Fly Nigeria Act is expected to have a major impact on the aviation sector, leading to:
- Increased patronage for local airlines: Government officials and agencies will exclusively book Nigerian airlines, significantly boosting their revenue.
- Job creation and industry growth: higher demand will translate into more employment opportunities for airline staff, pilots, engineers, and airport workers.
- Retention of aviation revenue within Nigeria Instead of spending billions on international airlines, government-sponsored travel funds will stay in the country, benefitting the local economy.
- Encouragement for private investment in aviation A guaranteed customer base from government travel will attract more investors into the sector, fostering expansion and competition.
- Strengthening of aviation infrastructure: Increased traffic and revenue will allow local airlines and airports to upgrade facilities, improve aircraft maintenance, and enhance customer service.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the anticipated benefits, some industry experts have expressed concerns regarding the capacity and reliability of local airlines to handle a surge in demand.
Keyamo acknowledged these concerns but reassured that the government is working closely with stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation.
“This will be enacted as a law,” he noted. “We are unsure how nationalism will influence its reception, but it is a key policy push from us.”
Aviation analysts argue that for the policy to truly succeed, Nigerian airlines must improve their efficiency, expand flight routes, and enhance customer experience.
Additionally, some international business travelers who depend on direct foreign flights for speed and efficiency may raise objections if local airlines do not operate on specific routes.
To address these concerns, the government is reportedly exploring ways to:
- Encourage public-private partnerships to improve airline operations.
- Support Nigerian airlines in expanding their international routes.
- Introduce quality control measures to ensure safety and reliability.
Aviation Stakeholders React
Many aviation experts and airline operators have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a game-changer for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The CEO of a leading Nigerian airline, speaking anonymously, said:
“This is long overdue. It will significantly increase our market share and allow us to reinvest in our operations, aircraft maintenance, and service delivery.”
Others have urged the government to ensure fairness and transparency in implementing the policy, avoiding monopolies and allowing all local airlines to benefit.
The Fly Nigeria Act represents a bold policy move by the Nigerian government to revitalize the aviation sector, create jobs, and retain more revenue within the country.
If successfully passed and implemented, it could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s aviation industry, positioning the country’s airlines for global competitiveness.
However, the success of the Act will depend on the government’s commitment to addressing concerns over airline capacity, reliability, and international flight connectivity.
As the proposal moves through the legislative process, aviation stakeholders, business travelers, and industry experts will closely watch how Nigeria navigates this historic opportunity to transform its aviation sector.
