Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu halted the proposed merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as recommended in the Steve Oronsaye Report.
He also revealed the reasons behind the exemption of the aviation sector from last year’s federal government-imposed foreign travel ban on officials.
President Tinubu had introduced the ban in April 2024 to curb rising travel expenses by government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). However, aviation officials were allowed to travel, a decision Keyamo attributed to the President’s commitment to the sector’s growth and transformation.
NCAA-NAMA Merger Halted
Speaking at NCAA’s 25th-anniversary celebration, Keyamo described the agency’s survival as a testament to its importance. He noted that the proposed NCAA-NAMA merger had been considered by past administrations, from Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari, and was revisited by Tinubu’s government.
“The Oronsaye Report recommended merging NCAA and NAMA, which would have weakened NCAA. During the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the President allowed ministers to present their arguments. I spoke for about five minutes, and after listening, the President decided to drop the merger,” Keyamo stated.
He highlighted NCAA’s achievements, including improved safety regulations, air traffic management, airport certification, and manpower development, adding that these justified the decision to maintain its independence.
Aviation’s Exemption from Travel Ban
On the travel ban, Keyamo explained that President Tinubu prioritized responsible fiscal management but made an exception for aviation due to its critical role in national development.
“The aviation industry facilitates trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. While its contribution to GDP is yet to reach its full potential, we must invest in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to ensure safety and efficiency,” he said.
Keyamo disclosed that he personally appealed to the President for the exemption, arguing that aviation officials needed to travel for safety and regulatory purposes. “Despite the economic constraints, the President graciously approved exemptions for the sector,” he added.
The minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring
