Nigeria’s aviation sector is set for a major transformation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development roll out plans to address long-standing airport infrastructure deficits.
Industry stakeholders believe the initiatives will enhance passenger experience, improve airline competitiveness, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
Speaking at the 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference in Lagos, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, identified inadequate airport facilities as one of the most significant barriers to airline growth and profitability.
He noted that the absence of proper transit infrastructure at major airports has prevented Nigeria from functioning as a true regional hub, forcing connecting passengers to clear immigration, undergo customs checks, and recheck baggage—processes that often divert traffic to other African airports.
This, he said, has weakened domestic carriers’ ability to integrate regional routes into global networks.
Onyema praised the government’s commitment to upgrading Lagos airport to support modern transit operations, expressing optimism that sustained focus could see Nigeria develop the infrastructure to compete with Africa’s top aviation hubs within two years.
He further highlighted that such upgrades serve as indirect financing for airlines by reducing inefficiencies, lowering operational costs, and fostering sustainable expansion. With the right facilities, Onyema believes Nigerian airlines could match the performance of leading African carriers within the next decade.
