Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, delivered a resounding affirmation of the nation’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in global air transport at the 2025 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Conference in Doha, Qatar. Addressing a distinguished assembly of international aviation leaders, including the Qatari Minister of Transport and the President of the ICAO Council, Keyamo underscored Nigeria’s enduring dedication to the principles of ICAO, highlighting the country’s active and influential role within the organization, particularly on the African continent, since joining the ICAO Council in 1962. He emphasized Nigeria’s ratification of crucial international air law instruments, such as the Montreal Protocol and amendments to the Chicago Convention, demonstrating the nation’s proactive engagement with evolving global aviation regulations. Keyamo commended the hosts, Qatar and ICAO, for organizing the conference, emphasizing its importance as a platform for reinforcing the collective commitment of member states to enhance global air transport facilitation.
Keyamo proudly proclaimed Nigeria’s recognition as a leading African nation in adhering to global aviation standards. This achievement, he attributed to the country’s robust regulatory framework and the professionalism of its aviation workforce. He proceeded to enumerate a series of accomplishments that underscored Nigeria’s progress in the aviation sector. A significant milestone was the endorsement of the Cape Town Convention and its associated Practice Direction on deregistration and export requests of leased aircraft in September 2024. This step propelled Nigeria’s Aviation Working Group (AWG) Compliance Index from 49.5% to 70.5%, marking a substantial improvement in the country’s regulatory standing.
Furthermore, the minister announced the signing of the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisation in December 2024, which is projected to further elevate Nigeria’s compliance index to 75.5%. This anticipated improvement positions Nigeria to attain the “High” compliance category and removes the country from the AWG watchlist. Keyamo emphasized the positive impact of this development, highlighting its contribution to increased aircraft accessibility and strengthened investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector. These achievements collectively demonstrate Nigeria’s proactive approach to aligning its aviation practices with international best practices, fostering a more conducive environment for investment and growth within the sector.
Keyamo further highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to modernizing its aviation infrastructure and enhancing passenger experience by showcasing the deployment of e-Gates at the country’s international airports. This technological advancement facilitates smoother passenger clearance for holders of biometric passports, improves data collection, and bolsters national security operations. By embracing such technological innovations, Nigeria aims to streamline its immigration processes while simultaneously strengthening its security apparatus. This demonstrates the country’s dedication to integrating technology to improve efficiency and security within the aviation sector.
Another notable achievement highlighted by the minister was Nigeria’s collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on capacity-building initiatives centered around leveraging Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. This collaboration underscores Nigeria’s proactive approach to enhancing national security and bolstering law enforcement capabilities within the aviation domain. By partnering with UNOCT, Nigeria seeks to optimize the use of passenger data to identify and mitigate potential security threats, further reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding its airspace and ensuring the safety of travelers.
In his concluding remarks, Keyamo reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to embrace innovative technologies and policies that promote seamless, secure, and efficient aviation operations. This proactive stance underscores Nigeria’s dedication to remaining at the forefront of advancements within the aviation industry. The minister’s address at the ICAO Conference effectively showcased Nigeria’s commitment to upholding international aviation standards, modernizing its infrastructure, and prioritizing security within the sector. His presentation served as a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence within the global aviation community and its dedication to fostering a safe, secure, and efficient air transport system.
