Nigeria’s aviation sector has taken a significant step toward long-term transformation, as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, officially received the country’s Civil Aviation Master Plan from the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO.
The presentation took place at the opening of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Marrakech, marking what officials describe as a defining moment for Nigeria’s aviation future.
The 20-year roadmap, developed with ICAO support, lays out a structured vision to modernize the nation’s aviation industry between 2025 and 2045.
It focuses on upgrading airport infrastructure, deploying emerging technologies like drones, and strengthening safety systems in line with global standards, all aimed at sustaining a zero-fatality environment.
Beyond safety and infrastructure, the plan targets economic growth, with a push to transform airports into thriving business hubs capable of generating jobs, boosting cargo operations, and improving national connectivity.
It also emphasizes building a skilled workforce, attracting private investment, especially in aircraft maintenance and cargo facilities and aligning Nigeria’s aviation expansion with global environmental goals.
Officials say the unveiling of the master plan on a global stage not only reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices but also signals a clear ambition to position the country as a competitive aviation hub in the years ahead.
At the same gathering, the minister joined global counterparts at a high-level roundtable, where he highlighted efforts to close Nigeria’s aviation skills gap, an issue seen as critical to delivering the ambitious vision outlined in the new master plan.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen