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Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo proposes a new law mandating public officials to fly Nigerian airlines on international routes.
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The proposed Fly Nigerian Act aims to promote local carriers and reduce capital flight.
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Keyamo says the policy aligns with global aviation standards and will prioritise Nigerian interests.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has proposed a law that would compel all public officials to fly Nigerian-owned airlines on international routes.
Keyamo made the proposal on Sunday during the ceremonial send-off of Air Peace’s inaugural direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport.
The event, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema.
According to Keyamo, the Federal Government will soon introduce a bill tagged the Fly Nigerian Act, which will make it mandatory for government officials to patronise local airlines operating on international routes.
“We are going to bring the bill on the Fly Nigerian Air to him (Benjamin Kalu). He will pass it. The Fly Nigerian Air is to mandate every government official travelling abroad to patronise our local airlines if they are flying that route first, except there is no local airline flying that route,” Keyamo said.
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The minister explained that the proposed legislation mirrors global practices, where countries ensure their citizens and officials promote domestic airlines.
He added that the move would strengthen the Nigerian aviation industry, create jobs, and retain revenue within the country.
“If a government official, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Senate, Minister, DG, or government official is flying to any part of the world, the first question you ask them is: Is there a Nigerian airline flying that route? You must buy that airline ticket first, except that they are not flying that route. That is the Fly Nigerian Act that we want to do,” he explained.
Keyamo maintained that the new bill would demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to developing its aviation sector in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the policy would not only empower local carriers but also project Nigeria as a country that prioritises its own industries in global commerce.
