The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has announced plans to introduce a law that will mandate all government officials to fly Nigerian-owned airlines on international routes where such services exist.
Keyamo made the disclosure on Sunday during the send-off ceremony for Air Peace’s inaugural Abuja–London Heathrow flight, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The high-profile event was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, among other dignitaries.
According to the minister, the new legislation — to be titled the “Fly Nigerian Act” — will ensure that Nigerian carriers benefit from the nation’s official travel budget, thereby boosting the local aviation industry.
“We are going to bring the bill on the Fly Nigerian Air to him (Benjamin Kalu). He will pass it,” Keyamo said, to the applause of attendees.
Explaining the proposal further, Keyamo noted that the bill would compel every government official — including ministers, senators, and directors-general — to patronise local airlines when flying to destinations covered by Nigerian carriers.
“If a government official is flying to any part of the world, the first question to ask is: Is there a Nigerian airline flying that route? You must buy that ticket first — unless there’s no Nigerian airline on that route,” he said.
The minister stressed that the initiative aligns with international best practices, citing examples from countries where national carriers are prioritised for official travels.
He added that the move would strengthen local airlines, promote economic patriotism, and ensure that revenue from international travel stays within Nigeria’s economy.
Air Peace recently became the first Nigerian carrier to operate direct flights between Abuja and London Heathrow, a milestone widely celebrated in the aviation sector.
