The Nigerian government has announced plans to introduce the Fly Nigeria Act to the National Assembly, a policy designed to strengthen the country’s aviation industry by prioritizing local airlines for official travel.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed this initiative during the 2025 ministerial press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Keyamo explained that the proposed legislation will require government officials to use Nigerian airlines for all government-funded official trips.
“We are in the process of pushing the Fly Nigeria Act to the National Assembly. There is a Fly America Act, and I believe there is also a Fly India Act. Most major countries have their own ‘Fly Act’ to promote their national airlines,” he said.
He emphasized that this move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, where aviation plays a key role.
“Only when a local airline does not operate on a particular route can an international airline be used,” he added.
Keyamo further stated, “This will be enacted as a law. We are unsure how nationalism will influence its reception, but it is a key policy push from us.”
He also revealed that the legislation is in its final draft stage. “The Fly Nigeria Act is almost ready in draft form. It aims to further boost business within the country, contributing to the $1 trillion economy that the President envisions,” he said.
Earlier in the briefing, Keyamo highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu administration in the aviation sector, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transforming the industry and promoting local carriers.
