Ever wondered about Nigeria’s national airline? Let’s dive into its story, from the glory days of Nigeria Airways to the recent drama with Nigeria Air.
The Glory Days
Nigeria Airways: The Beginning
Nigeria Airways was our first national airline, launched in 1958. It was the pride of the nation, connecting us to the world. It had a fleet of about 30 aircrafts and flew to 4 domestic destinations: Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt. Its international destinations were Abidjan, Dubai, Jeddah, London and New York. At its peak, it made around $200 million annually. Imagine that in today’s money – over $1 billion!
The Downfall
What Went Wrong?
Despite its success, Nigeria Airways faced major issues like mismanagement, corruption, and financial troubles. By 2003, the airline couldn’t keep up and had to shut down. It was formally succeeded by Virgin Nigeria, and its ground facilities were taken over by Arik Air. A sad end to a once great airline.
A New Hope
Enter Nigeria Air
In 2018, former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika announced a new national carrier – Nigeria Air. It was supposed to bring back the glory days and boost our economy. Exciting times ahead, or so we thought!
Promising Start
Initial Excitement
Plans were made, and hopes were high. The project was set to launch by December 2018. An aircraft was even unveiled in 2023, reigniting our dreams of a national airline.
Trouble on the Horizon
Why the Delay?
But then, things went south. Financial issues, disagreements with partners, and internal conflicts caused delays. Even allegations of fraud by the public. Claiming the airplane unveiled by the ministry of aviation was in truth, an Ethopian airline plane painted green and white! The government had to put the project on hold several times.
The Suspension
Current Status
By 2024, the new Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, suspended Nigeria Air indefinitely. The reasons? Transparency issues, financial mismanagement, and shaky ownership. The project gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49% stake, Nigerian investors got 46%, while the Nigerian government had only 5%. Keyamo emphasized it was not truly Nigeria Air but an “Ethiopian airline trying to fly our flag”. He insisted that Nigeria’s national carrier must be fully Nigerian to truly benefit the country
The Sirika Controversy
Hadi Sirika’s Role
Hadi Sirika, the man behind Nigeria Air, is now facing charges by the EFCC for corruption. He’s accused of misusing his position to award lucrative contracts to companies linked to his family
Ethiopian Airlines
A Missed Opportunity
Ethiopian Airlines was supposed to partner with Nigeria Air. They make over $6 billion annually for Ethiopia. Imagine if Nigeria Air had succeeded – with the right terms and proper paperwork, it could have brought in a billion dollars a year, boosting our economy like never before.
What Could Have Been
Economic Impact
To put it in perspective, Nigeria Air’s potential revenue would have exceeded the internally generated revenue (IGR) of every single state in the country. Yes, including Lagos. In fact, you could double Lagos’ IGR of 2022, and still get change. Not to mention increase in FX reserves for the CBN. Needless to say, it was a huge missed opportunity for our nation.
Looking Ahead
The Future of Our Skies
So, what’s next? We need transparency, good management, and strong partnerships to revive our aviation dreams. Let’s hope for a better future for Nigeria’s skies.
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