Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the national carrier project, Nigeria Air, will be put on hold until President Bola Tinubu is properly informed and the allegedly non-transparent processes are reviewed. Keyamo emphasized that no final decisions have been made regarding airport concessions and the national carrier, and they will remain suspended until all complaints are evaluated and the President is fully briefed. He stated that his priority is to protect the average Nigerian and bring a private sector mindset to his role.
Additionally, Keyamo has ordered the relocation of all airlines from the old Murtala Muhammed International Airport terminal in Lagos to the new terminal. He expressed his disappointment in continuing to use the old terminal, which is in poor condition, while the new terminal remains underutilized. Keyamo highlighted the availability of 60 check-in counters in the new terminal that are not being used and proposed the use of emergency procurement to acquire buses for orderly passenger boarding and disembarking.
Furthermore, the minister instructed owners of unserviceable aircraft parked in the old terminal to remove them within three months. He explained that the directive aims to expand the aprons and free up space. Keyamo clarified that there are no plans to completely close the airport, contrary to misleading reports, and reiterated that the old terminal is an eyesore that should no longer be used.
