The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced plans to introduce a new legislation that will mandate all government officials to patronize Nigerian-owned airlines on international routes where such services are available.
Speaking on Sunday during the ceremonial send-off of Air Peace’s inaugural direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport, Keyamo revealed that the proposed legislation, to be known as the “Fly Nigerian Act,” is designed to strengthen local aviation and align Nigeria with international best practices.
According to the minister, the bill will require every public officeholder — including members of the National Assembly, ministers, directors-general, and other top officials — to prioritize Nigerian airlines for official international travel, except in cases where no local carrier operates the route.
“We are going to bring the bill on the Fly Nigerian Air to him (Benjamin Kalu). He will pass it,” Keyamo said, referring to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who was present at the ceremony.
“The Fly Nigerian Air is to mandate every government official travelling abroad to patronise our local airlines if they are flying that route first, except there is no local airline flying that route,” the minister added.
Keyamo explained that the policy mirrors global standards, noting that many countries have similar laws that protect and promote their domestic carriers.
“If a government official, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Senate, Minister, DG, or government official is flying to any part of the world, the first question you ask them is: Is there a Nigerian airline flying that route? You must buy that airline ticket first, except that they are not flying that route. That is the Fly Nigerian Act that we want to do,” he emphasized.
The event, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, also featured dignitaries including Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema, who commended the government’s support for local carriers.
Keyamo’s announcement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s effort to strengthen its aviation industry, promote national pride, and ensure that the country’s resources benefit indigenous operators in the global airspace.
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