FG no longer interested in Nigeria Air, ET affirms

July 2, 2024

Ethiopian Airlines has said the Federal government is no longer interested in the proposed joint venture to birth Nigeria Air.

Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tase, who confirmed this, yesterday, in Dubai said the Nigerian government lost interest in the partnership.

The announcement followed declaration by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, describing the Nigeria Air project as a scam and, therefore, “remains suspended”.

Keyamo alleged that the Nigeria Air project was nothing short of Ethiopian Airlines wanting to fly the Nigerian flag.

He said: “Nobody should deceive us that it is Air Nigeria. Air Nigeria should be indigenous; it should be wholly Nigeria and must be for the full benefit of Nigeria, not that 60 per cent of the profit is going to another country. How does that benefit Nigeria? It remains suspended.”

In 2022, Ethiopian Airlines won the bid to manage Nigeria Air, agreeing to a structure where they would hold 49 per cent stake, the Federal Government five per cent, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) 15 per cent and other investors 31 per cent.

In May 2023, just before the end of the previous administration, then Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, officially launched Nigeria Air, which was widely criticised by stakeholders.

The House of Representatives criticised the launch, calling it fraudulent, and its Committee on Aviation passed a resolution asking the Federal Government to suspend Nigeria Air’s operations.

Sirika is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering, contract fraud in the ministry and issues related to Nigeria Air.

The controversies surrounding Nigeria Air highlighted significant challenges and discrepancies in the nation’s aviation sector, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability.