Festus Keyamo on Wednesday, 25 February, presented a proposed ₦184,392,160,433.00 budget for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation at the National Assembly.
Addressing lawmakers, Keyamo expressed gratitude for their “unwavering support and cooperation” since the inception of the current administration and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the legislature to advance the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to a statement signed by Margaret Oyinboade, Keyamo described the 2026 budget proposal as “strategically designed to modernise safety systems, upgrade digital infrastructure, and strengthen human capacity development across the aviation ecosystem.”
The Minister emphasised the Ministry’s focus on improving operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery in line with global best practices.
Highlighting milestones from the 2025 fiscal year despite funding constraints, Keyamo pointed to the Federal Government’s clearance of outstanding debts owed to foreign airlines, Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the reopening of direct flights to the United Arab Emirates, the commencement of direct Abuja–Heathrow operations by a local airline, and the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic operators.
Keyamo also briefed lawmakers on a recent fire outbreak at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which destroyed critical equipment belonging to some aviation agencies, urging support for replacing the damaged assets. He noted that the incident led to significant operational losses in the sector.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai, stressed the need for judicious management of public funds, reminding that it is the National Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to appropriate funds and ensure transparency and accountability. He encouraged MDAs to prioritise ongoing projects and avoid abandonment while maintaining cordial relations with the Committee.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Festus Olanrewaju, urged that budget implementation remain people-oriented, promote infrastructural development, and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
