Abuja, Nigeria- Festus Keyamo SAN, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, recently pledged swift action to curb illegal chartered flights plaguing the sector.
Highlighting risks to safety and revenue, he ordered immediate collaboration with agencies to enforce regulations.
This move aims to strengthen oversight and restore trust in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The Ministry pledged to combat illegal charter operations while presenting a seven-member committee’s report at their Abuja headquarters.
This follows the committee’s findings, which exposed regulatory breaches and proposed urgent reforms.
Highlighting accountability, officials vowed immediate action during Thursday’s high-level briefing.
Notably, the committee—tasked last month—unveiled systemic flaws through rigorous analysis, stressing collaboration with aviation stakeholders.
By prioritizing transparency, the Ministry aims to restore public trust while enforcing stricter penalties for violations.
On Wednesday, the Minister emphasized longstanding sector challenges, noting through Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Affairs, that persistent misuse of PNCF licenses has undermined aviation integrity.
He stressed urgent reforms, clarifying that regulatory gaps enabled unauthorized flights, eroding public trust and safety standards.
Transitioning forward, he pledged stricter oversight to curb violations and restore accountability.
He revealed that private jet owners exploited permits for unauthorized commercial activities, enabling money laundering, drug trafficking, and illegal border crossings.
Furthermore, such misuse undermines regulatory oversight and fuels transnational criminal networks.
By prioritizing profit over compliance, these operators bypass legal frameworks, escalating risks to national security and economic stability.
Strengthened enforcement and stricter penalties are urgently needed to curb this systemic abuse.
However, Keyamo decided to confront the long-standing practice headlong after becoming Minister.
Furthermore, the current administration prioritizes safeguarding Nigeria’s aviation sector, aligning with President Tinubu’s governance and security reforms.
Additionally, Keyamo praised the committee and NCAA for diligently providing documentation to advance the investigation.
He assured stakeholders the government would swiftly implement the report’s recommendations, rejecting delays.
Specifically, unchecked activities enable money laundering, drug trafficking, and illegal border movements, endangering national security.
Chaired by Captain Ado Sanusi, the committee investigated thoroughly, uncovering regulatory weaknesses, PNCF system loopholes, and inadequate oversight mechanisms.
Additionally, security vulnerabilities and significant government revenue losses emerged.
Sanusi warned that these flaws directly threaten aviation safety while eroding industry standards.
Furthermore, they undermine fair competition, disproportionately burdening legitimate operators struggling to comply.
Consequently, authorities must enact urgent reforms to close systemic gaps and restore accountability.
The report prioritizes four urgent actions: strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance security protocols, enforce aviation law compliance, and align private charters with global standards.
Captain Sanusi urgently pressed the Minister to act, stressing swift implementation could revive Nigeria’s struggling aviation sector. He emphasized economic recovery hinges on immediate reforms.
Notably, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana praised Minister Keyamo’s proactive revitalization strategies, signaling strong institutional backing for transformative reforms. This unified support underscores Nigeria’s commitment to aviation excellence.
He assured that the Ministry would take prompt action on the committee’s recommendations to address these long-standing challenges.
The move is expected to bolster confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector while curbing illegal activities that have undermined its integrity and economic potential.