Abuja, Nigeria – The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has said two to three Nigerian airlines will receive support to operate as national flag carriers. The announcement was made at the first‑quarter Business Breakfast Meeting of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative and circulated via the FAAN MD’s social‑media account.
Okay News reports that the planned support aims to strengthen indigenous carriers, improve global competitiveness, and boost both passenger and cargo traffic on Nigeria’s aviation network. FAAN says positioning reliable local airlines at flag‑carrier level can unlock more value across the sector, from local jobs to higher‑value air freight and route development.
Mrs. Kuku noted that the initiative goes beyond airline funding to broader infrastructure and operational upgrades. These include improvements at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, plans for modern cargo terminals and cold‑chain systems to support perishable and pharmaceutical freight, and efforts to position Nigeria as a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub. The authority also intends to deploy advanced systems such as upgraded airfield lighting and the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System.
The proposal comes after the Nigeria Air project, launched in 2023 as a revived national carrier with Ethiopian Airlines holding a 49% stake, was suspended amid allegations of irregularities. In 2024, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the arrangement would have required Nigeria to pay about $112 million over three years to use Ethiopian aircraft and would have shifted most benefits and control outside the country. The current move to back existing local airlines instead reflects a shift toward building domestic capacity without similar foreign‑dominated equity structures.
Supporting two to three Nigerian airlines as flag‑carrier‑level operators could help the country retain more aviation value at home, deepen regional and international connectivity, and create higher‑value jobs in engineering, logistics, and management. However, success will depend on stable regulation, fair market access, and transparent agreements that balance private‑sector competitiveness with public‑interest goals.
, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has said two to three Nigerian airlines will receive support to operate as national flag carriers. The announcement was made at the first‑quarter Business Breakfast Meeting of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative and circulated via the FAAN MD’s social‑media account.){kind=link}