By Nosa Aituamen
As Africa seeks to enhance its air transport network to drive sustainable economic development, Nigeria’s Director General, Civil Aviation (DGCA) Captain Chris Najomo has reaffirmed its commitment to striking a careful balance between protecting national carriers and embracing liberalization.
Speaking during the fifth session of the AFI Aviation Symposium in Zimbabwe, with the theme: “Optimizing Air Transport Connectivity for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa”, Captain Najomo outlined Nigeria’s strategic approach to regional air transport challenges and infrastructure development.
He stressed the enduring tension many African states face between safeguarding national carriers and embracing the liberalization needed to improve regional air connectivity.
National airlines, he noted, often represent sovereignty and pride, prompting governments to shield them from open competition.
Despite recognizing the long-term benefits of liberalization such as greater connectivity and economic integration, many states remain hesitant, fearing that it could erode market share and profitability of their flag carriers.
A key example of this tension is the sluggish implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Captain Najomo pointed out that delays in enacting these regional liberalization frameworks often stem from concerns over losing control of lucrative routes.
According to him, many countries still lack autonomous civil aviation authorities and robust economic regulatory frameworks necessary to manage liberalized airspaces effectively.
Visa restrictions, he noted further compound the issue by undermining the potential benefits of freer skies, as limited mobility hinders intra-African trade and tourism.
However, Nigeria has taken significant steps to break this cycle, stating that, under the current administration and with strong backing from the Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria is pursuing a dual policy that both supports the growth of domestic airlines and advances regional integration efforts.
The DGCA outlined efforts by the Nigerian government to include prioritizing aviation infrastructure as a national development objective, integrating it into broader economic plans and committing substantial investment through its federal budget.
Major airport upgrades are underway, including terminal expansions in key international gateways such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu.
The government’s airport concession program, underpinned by Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), is designed to boost operational efficiency and improve service delivery.
In parallel, Nigeria is expanding cargo terminals and developing airport cities, or aerotropolis, to transform major airports into logistics and commercial hubs.
On the technological front, the modernization of Nigeria’s air navigation systems, spearheaded by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), includes the deployment of satellite-based navigation and enhanced radar and communication systems to strengthen air traffic control and safety.
Nigeria’s international aviation posture is also aligned with continental frameworks.
As a signatory to SAATM and supporter of the Yamoussoukro Decision, Captain Najomo said, Nigeria has established Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with other African countries, enabling liberal traffic rights and promoting cargo and passenger flow.
Notably, the country’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention has recently improved, bolstered by its adoption of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA), which has strengthened investor confidence and eased access to leased aircraft for Nigerian airlines.
The DGCA also emphasized government policies designed to reinforce the domestic aviation sector, including the “Fly Nigeria Act,” which prioritizes local airlines for government-sponsored travel.
This, along with regional airline partnerships currently under discussion, forms part of a broader agenda to ensure sustainable airline operations while enhancing regional air connectivity.
He pointed out that for Africa to realize the full economic potential of a liberalized air transport market, governments must harmonize aviation policies with trade and tourism strategies.
Nigeria, Captain Najomo affirmed, remains firmly committed to fostering a competitive, interconnected, and investor-friendly aviation sector as a pillar of national and regional development.