Femi Johnson: Ignorance in aviation sector, poor decisions negatively impacting industry, Nigeria

Nigeria’s aviation sector is in a critical state as safety violations persist, aggravated by the decisions of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

The Minister’s actions have caused uncertainty among passengers and stakeholders while severely tarnishing the reputation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

A significant problem arose when Minister Keyamo suspended the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, with no proper investigation or interim replacement for seven months. This lack of decisiveness has damaged Nigeria’s credibility in the eyes of the global aviation community, raising concerns about the country’s commitment to ensuring a secure and dependable aviation industry.

Additionally, the appointment of Capt. Chris Najomo as Ag. DG, who has financial ties to Arik Air, has led to conflicts of interest, undermining the integrity of the NCAA both local and internationally.

A report from the This Day newspaper penned by Alex Enumah states that a group known as the Concerned Airline Operators have criticized a statement reportedly made by Chris Ona Najomo, the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), claiming that he holds positions in both the Authority and Arik Air. This is a pure conflict of interest. To restore public trust in the aviation sector both Local and internationally, the group has urged Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to remove Najomo from his role and reinstate the suspended DG or appoint a new one promptly to facilitate industry recovery before it’s too late.

Recent occurrences, such as the malfunction of the flight management system on the Presidential airplane, and the Vice President Shettima declaring an emergency landing and 3 other incidents with the local Airlines in a space of three weeks send a negative signal. This happening has exacerbated concerns among Nigerians and emphasized the immediate necessity for competent leadership. Despite the autonomy of the Nigerian Air Force, these incidents have brought broader safety worries to the fore. Also, Minister Keyamo’s unwarranted suspension of 10 private airlines, exceeding his authority to do so, has further harmed Nigeria’s aviation field.

The unwarranted grounding of Dana Air has led to 800 job cuts, and with three leading Airlines facing currency challenges, there is now a 50% decrease in flight capacity, resulting in exorbitant fares as high as 250,000 naira for an economy seat for Passengers. This decision, taken by the minister – not an Aviation Expert – without due consultation or consideration of the wider repercussions, highlights the lack of integrity and Capacity among most Aviation Agency heads to present the unvarnished truth to the Minister for the greater good of Nigeria.

The minister’s constant alarm of corruption within aviation inspection have only worsened the situation, eroding trust from both local and international communities, setting Nigeria’s Aviation sector back by two decades. The minister is tasked with advancing the reputation of our Aviation industry and resolving challenges, not burdening the flying public with excessive fares.

Nigeria’s aviation industry faces further setbacks due to poor Security Audit ratings and the continued lack of airport certification over the past forty years. Disregard for flight standards within the NCAA, along with insufficient training and support, has led to a 50% reduction in workforce, leaving scarce competent inspectors to ensure aircraft safety nationwide.

Minister Keyamo’s preoccupation with political maneuvering rather than addressing the crucial issues at hand has been harmful. His decisions not only diminish the credibility of the NCAA but also put Nigeria’s aviation sector’s safety and efficiency at risk. The minister’s choices, such as grounding airlines without valid reasons and publicly disparaging aviation inspectors, reveal a lack of comprehension and ability to handle the sector’s complexities.

Aviation safety cannot be emphasized enough, and the sector cannot be made a pawn in political strategies. The Minister of Aviation must prioritize competence, credibility, and integrity in leading the NCAA. Aviation should not be influenced by politics, especially when lives are on the line. It is essential to adopt a strategic and professional approach to rebuild confidence, enhance operational capabilities, and uphold Nigeria’s standing in the global aviation community. The actions taken today will determine whether Nigeria can regain its aviation reputation or remain stuck in a crisis.

Femi Johnson is respected Nigerian aviation specialist with more than three decades of expertise residing in Canada.