An old adage says, “Slow but steady wins the race”. This is an apt explanation of the progress in the aviation industry which encompasses almost all aspects of air travel and the activities that help to facilitate it. This means it includes the entire airline industry, aircraft manufacturing, research companies, military aviation, and much more. In this article, you will learn all you need to know about aviation and its industry.
The importance of the modern aviation industry is difficult to overstate. Still, one of the main reasons for this importance is the globalized nature of the industry, helping to connect different continents, countries, and cultures. As a result, global aviation has been key in facilitating efficient travel to distant places, enriching many lives in the process.
The aviation industry has also been a key contributor to global economic prosperity, not only because the tourism industry boosts local economies but also because it has allowed for improvements to global trade.
Meanwhile, the aviation industry also directly provides millions of jobs for people around the world, with examples including everything from pilots and cabin crew to air traffic controllers and aerospace engineers. On top of this, the aviation industry has helped to create many jobs in the wider travel and tourism industry too.
Under the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, normalcy is beginning to return to the Nigerian aviation sector. With him on board more revolutionary transformation beckons.
A radical lawyer and rights activist who made a name for himself through civil society advocacy before venturing into politics, Mr. Keyamo served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment in the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and came to the Aviation Ministry at a time the controversies surrounding the botched attempt to launch a national carrier was yet to subside.
Interestingly, his first attempt at sanitising the industry, was his invite to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to look into the record books of the Ministry from the past, most especially as it pertains to the Nigeria Air fiasco. He suspended the operations of the non-existing Airline on August 31, 2023 few days after taking the oath of office as a Minister.
He said then, “the whole thing was not a good deal for Nigeria and that it was merely Ethiopian Air flying the Nigeria flag”.
Subsequently, Keyamo, in his wisdom replaced 33 Directors who were appointed on the eve of the last administration’s departure. This was a loud statement of genuinty and a determined contribution to leave his footprints in the sands of time.
Another area that got the immediate attention of the Minister was the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), a parastatal under his Ministry. He directed that the headquarters of the agency be relocated back to Lagos where they have always had their operational base.
Four days ago, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), led a distinguished Nigerian delegation to France on a four-day Nigeria-France Bilateral Business Forum, aiming to bolster cooperation and attract French private sector investment to improve Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
Keyamo and his team showcased a detailed aviation industry roadmap to Damien Caze, the French Civil Aviation Director General, and other French aviation stakeholders in Paris highlighting discussions on enhancing infrastructure and collaborations, including aircraft financing, insurance, modernization of navigational equipment, and capacity-building initiatives, as detailed in a statement by Tunde Moshood, Keyamo’s Media Adviser.
The Nigerian delegation accompanying the Aviation Minister comprised CEOs and directors from key aviation agencies, including Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku of FAAN, Capt. Chris Najomo of NCAA, and Engr. Faruk Umar of NAMA, alongside stakeholders from Nigeria’s private aviation sector.
Adenike Aboderin, Managing Director of SAHCO, and one of the Nigerian delegates highlighted the economic potential of engaging with Nigeria’s Cargo business. Similarly, Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Capt. Ado Sanusi elaborated on the advantages of aircraft leasing and investing in Nigeria, a nation with a population of 240 million and known as Africa’s commercial hub.
French aviation stakeholders, such as PROAVIA, ASTech Paris Region, and BPI France, showed a strong interest in forming partnerships with Nigeria, recognizing its significant potential in the aviation sector. Gad Wavomba, Vice President of AerCap, committed to exploring business opportunities in Nigeria, emphasizing its investment appeal.
In the course of the aviation business exploration across France, the Nigerian delegation will be in the cities of Marseille, Toulouse, and Orly, where the team will explore opportunities for French private sector investment in the Nigerian aviation industry.
In Toulouse, the Nigerian delegation will visit the Airbus headquarters, concluding business discussions in Orly with an audience with the management of Thales.
Minister Keyamo expressed optimism about the outcomes of the visit, stating, “We are confident that this bilateral engagement will pave the way for fruitful collaborations and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
In addition to the Nigerian delegation at the Nigeria-France business forum already mentioned, other notable participants include Emmanuel Fubara (SAN), Chairman of Bristow Helicopters; George Uriesi, MD of Ibom Air; and Seinde Fadeni Folorunsho, Chairman of NAHCO.
The forum also features participation from distinguished individuals such as Oluwatoyin Olajide, COO of Air Peace; Osholowu Gbolahan, MD of Kasi Healthcare Helicopters; Shettima Kashim Bukar, Chairman and CEO of SkyJet Aviation and Barbidos Group; Iza Emmanuel Abuya, Managing Director of XJet Aviation; Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, Chairman of Azman Air; Gaya Kabiru, Managing Director of NG Eagle; and Afolabi Babawande, Founder/CEO of Green Africa, among others.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspapers
