he Nigerian aviation industry has witnessed the collapse of over 100 airlines in the past 40 years, according to Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of Air Peace in Lagos, Keyamo highlighted the high mortality rate in the industry and promised that the current administration aims to reverse this trend.
Keyamo expressed his admiration for Air Peace, West Africa’s largest airline and Nigeria‘s flag carrier, noting its resilience over the past decade. “If you look at the history of airlines in Nigeria, you will discover that it is difficult for them to survive 10 years and still look healthy,” Keyamo remarked. He cited past airlines, such as Concord, Zenith, and Bellview, which once thrived but eventually collapsed, underscoring the challenging environment in which Nigerian airlines operate.
The minister described the industry’s struggles as “worrisome” and noted that Nigeria accounts for 80 percent of all domestic air travel across Africa—a testament to the sector‘s potential and the critical need for stability. “Not West Africa, not Central Africa, but the whole of Africa,” Keyamo said, referencing a recent Boeing study.
As part of the government’s efforts to address the issue, Keyamo pledged to investigate the causes behind the frequent airline shutdowns, identifying them as “a priority for reform.” The aim, he stated, is to create an environment where Nigerian airlines can thrive without the persistent risk of collapse.
