The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has strongly condemned statements made by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu alleging that Nigerian pilots and cabin crew are involved in substance abuse.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Moshood, titled “Leadership, Responsibility, and the Recklessness of Words: Setting the Record Straight on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s Aviation Allegations,” Keyamo described Kalu’s claims as baseless, reckless, and politically driven.
He accused the lawmaker of seeking unnecessary media attention and warned that such allegations could cause public panic and damage the reputation of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“It’s one thing to advocate for higher standards, but it’s another to make wild accusations without any evidence,” Keyamo stated.
The Minister further defended his administration’s achievements, listing key reforms such as:
- Implementation of the IDERA Framework to strengthen aircraft leasing and financing.
- New Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) for expanded global aviation partnerships.
- Consumer Protection Initiatives via a new NCAA digital portal for passenger rights.
- Airport infrastructure upgrades at major terminals, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
- Enhanced regulatory oversight aligning all aviation agencies under a unified vision.
“These are not signs of a sector riddled with negligence or substance abuse,” Keyamo stressed, “but proof of a system being rebuilt on integrity and international best practices.”
