In a landmark move, Enugu State under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah has launched Enugu Air, officially making it the first state-owned commercial airline in Southeast Nigeria and the second in the country, after Akwa Ibom’s Ibom Air.
The inauguration ceremony was held earlier this week at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and was officiated by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Mbah described the establishment of Enugu Air as a “triumph of vision,” highlighting its role in boosting the state’s economy and providing job opportunities for the youth.
“We are starting off with three Embraer aircraft—efficient, elegant birds suited to our terrain,” Mbah stated. “Our initial routes will form a golden triangle: Enugu–Abuja–Lagos. From there, we’ll expand to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and eventually to destinations across Africa, Europe, China, the UK, and the US.”
According to the governor, Enugu Air is designed to serve as a catalyst for economic transformation, offering reliable market access to business operators and creating new career pathways for the state’s teeming youth population.
Minister Keyamo praised Mbah’s dedication, recalling how the governor persistently followed up on the airline project since his assumption of office.
“Governor Mbah was the first to visit me after I was sworn in. He came to Abuja almost every week to press the buttons and make this vision a reality. His private sector spirit is evident,” Keyamo remarked, commending the governor’s foresight and determination.
He also lauded the partnership with XEJet, a fully Nigerian-owned aviation operator also managing Sierra Leone’s national airline, calling it a smart move in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Divided Opinions on Timing and Priorities
While the launch of Enugu Air has been met with praise in many quarters, it has also sparked debate over priorities. Some observers question the timing of the project, arguing that the state government should have focused on addressing more pressing needs—particularly the governor’s campaign promise to provide potable water across Enugu.
Lagos-based lawyer Kenneth Eze voiced this concern, saying: “Yes, the airline project is commendable, but the governor should have prioritized access to clean water, which is a basic necessity for everyone, rich or poor.”
Eze argued that while air travel remains largely inaccessible to the average citizen, the lack of clean water continues to affect thousands in suburban and rural communities.
Defending the Vision
Others have risen in defense of the project, stressing its long-term economic benefits. Public affairs analyst and lawyer, Celestine Ikechukwu Nnamani, said Enugu Air could place the state on the path to financial self-sufficiency.
“If professionally managed, this initiative could make Enugu one of the few states capable of surviving without federal allocation,” Nnamani said. “But for it to succeed, the governor must shield it from political interference and ensure only competent professionals run it.”
Journalist and analyst Dahiru Majeed also threw his weight behind the initiative, arguing that using state funds—or even loans—for revenue-generating projects is more strategic than borrowing to pay salaries or build non-revenue infrastructure.
Majeed drew parallels between Governor Mbah’s bold move and the economic blueprints of First Republic leaders like Michael Okpara, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello, who invested in industries that drove regional growth and employment.
“The success of this airline depends on sustained commitment across administrations,” he noted, urging Enugu people and future leaders to emulate the Ethiopian Airlines model—one of Africa’s most profitable state-owned enterprises.
He said Ethiopia’s decision to shield its national airline from political interference has kept it thriving globally, despite systemic corruption in other sectors.
Looking Ahead
As Enugu Air prepares to take to the skies, attention now shifts to its operational efficiency, sustainability, and impact on the state’s development. Governor Mbah has called it a legacy project, but its real test will lie in its ability to stay aloft—not just in the air, but in public confidence.
Whether seen as a bold economic step or a misplacement of priorities, Enugu Air has certainly stirred a conversation on governance, development strategy, and the evolving role of subnational governments in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Comments