The Nigerian Senate has rejected a proposal to revive the Nigeria Air project, but Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged lawmakers to reconsider the country’s long-standing ambition of establishing a national carrier.
The disagreement emerged during plenary on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when senators debated a motion on Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China. An additional proposal seeking the revival of Nigeria Air was put to a voice vote but failed to secure the Senate’s approval.
Following the rejection, Akpabio initially described the issue as a dead matter that lawmakers should not waste time discussing.
However, he subsequently argued that Nigeria still needed a national airline and called on senators to initiate a fresh legislative process to revisit the idea.
“Somebody should bring a motion that will enable Nigeria to revive its own airline. Nigeria should have Nigerian Airways. A national carrier should birth in this country carrying Nigerian flag as it used to be,” he said.
Akpabio recalled that the former Nigeria Airways once operated a fleet of about 40 aircraft across different routes, with approximately 32 aircraft on the ground at one point.
He also expressed concern about the difficulty of securing private aircraft for charter services and the pressure on domestic airlines during the December travel season.
His comments have reopened debate over whether Nigeria should establish another state-backed national airline or pursue a different model for strengthening its aviation industry.
The debate over Nigeria Air followed deliberations on a substantive motion concerning the country’s air services agreement with China, sponsored by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno.
The motion called for a review and enforcement of the agreement to secure reciprocal access for Nigerian airlines seeking to operate direct flights to China.
Monguno said more than one million Nigerians live in China, while over 500,000 Chinese nationals reside in Nigeria. He argued that direct air connectivity would reduce travel time, improve supply-chain efficiency, support trade and limit foreign exchange outflows associated with international travel.
Senator Abdul Ningi questioned whether Nigeria was receiving commensurate benefits from its relationship with China, given the Asian country’s growing influence in the global economy.
Akpabio warned that Nigeria might need to reconsider the privileges granted to Chinese airlines if Nigerian carriers were denied reciprocal access to operate direct flights.
The Senate consequently urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the agreement to establish direct commercial air links between both countries.
It also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic discussions with China on facilitating business visas for Nigerian traders and securing reciprocal airport slot allocations.
The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance was directed to monitor the implementation of the resolutions and report back within four weeks.
Nigeria Air was first unveiled in July 2018 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration but was suspended two months later amid questions about its viability.
The project was subsequently revived through a proposed partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, which emerged as the preferred bidder in 2022.
Under the proposed ownership structure, Ethiopian Airlines was to hold 49 per cent of the carrier, while the Federal Government would own five per cent. SAHCO was allocated 15 per cent, with other investors expected to hold the remaining 31 per cent.
The airline was unveiled in May 2023 by former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. However, the project faced strong opposition from domestic airline operators, who questioned the transparency of the process and the proposed partnership arrangements.
In August 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos declared the proposed sale to Ethiopian Airlines invalid and legally ineffective following a suit by the Airline Operators of Nigeria and other industry stakeholders.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo subsequently disclosed that the arrangement would have required Nigeria to pay Ethiopian Airlines approximately $112 million over three years for the use of surplus aircraft, despite the aircraft being presented as part of its equity contribution.
Keyamo also raised concerns about proposed tax exemptions, indemnity provisions and Ethiopian Airlines’ control over key management positions, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
He argued that the terms were not in Nigeria’s best interest and announced the suspension of the project in 2024.
Sirika is also facing prosecution over alleged money laundering and contract fraud linked to the project.
