By Kabir Ismail
Festus Keyamo, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has been making waves in the Nigerian aviation industry. His outstanding leadership and commitment to the sector have earned him the prestigious “Super Minister Award” from The Street Journal. But what’s behind his widespread popularity among Nigerians?
A seasoned politician, lawyer, and human rights activist, Keyamo has had a distinguished career spanning several years. Born on January 21, 1970, in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria, he graduated with a Law degree from the University of Benin in 1992. Keyamo’s impressive resume includes practising law in Lagos and Abuja, working as a columnist for various Nigerian newspapers, and advocating for justice and equality as a human rights activist.
As the Director of Strategic Communications for the Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign, Keyamo’s leadership skills and expertise propelled him to become the Minister of State for Labour and Employment from 2019 to 2023. His subsequent appointment as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development in 2023 marked a significant milestone in his career.
Keyamo took the reins of the aviation ministry at a critical juncture, with several unresolved issues plaguing the sector. From the contentious Nigeria Air project to concerns over dollar scarcity, high aviation fuel costs, and multiple taxation, Keyamo faced a daunting task. However, his focused leadership and dedication to the sector have begun to bear fruit, earning him widespread acclaim and admiration from Nigerians.
But what exactly has Keyamo done to win the hearts of Nigerians? Here are 22 reasons.
1. A man of patriotic integrity and immense articulation and insightfulness, Keyamo stopped the incessant and tragic plane crashes and consequent spilling of blood witnessed in the country before he became the Minister of Aviation. Before that time the country’s aviation sector witnessed about five crashes in the space of one year which claimed approximately 400 lives. All that ceased under his tenure not only did no plane crash but also no plane went missing.
2. A transparent and honest leader, Keyamo For the first time, Nigeria has been excluded from the Airlines’ $1.7 billion Trapped Funds by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), this has enhanced connectivity and the economic prosperity of Nigeria. Amidst funds repatriation difficulties faced by international airlines operating in Nigeria over the past two years, by working closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the minister’s effort ensured the clearance of the longstanding backlog of trapped funds for foreign airlines. This singular act resolved an issue that had lingered for years, boosting international airlines’ confidence and creating an avenue for them to resume flight operations in the country. For instance, Emirates Airlines, which suspended operations over a year ago due to difficulties encountered in repatriating trapped funds, announced the resumption of flight services to Nigeria on 1 October.
3. In a bid to enhance IGR, Keyamo also recently obtained approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to withdraw the ticket payment exemption granted to highly placed Nigerians at the nation’s airports. According to the Minister, “The ministry has been losing huge revenue that ordinarily should not be. With the new system, everybody coming into the nation’s airports must pay the toll gate fees. Already the president and the vice president have agreed to be part of those that would pay.’’
4. One other area that makes Nigerians happy with Keyamo as Aviation Minister is his prompt action in mitigating compromises and ensuring the safety of lives. An instance in April, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Airlines over safety concerns. This was announced less than 48 hours after an aircraft (MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI) belonging to Dana Air experienced a runway incursion upon landing at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on a flight from Abuja. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported at the time.
5. Keyamo administered the Intervention Fund entrusted to him transparently and openly and also insisted on due process and due diligence in the application of funds as a Minister. For instance, out of the N11 billion disbursed to him in his first tenure as Aviation Minister, he left N7.2 billion, this included about N100 million that was left from the fund, sourced and spent on the safe tower project by his predecessor. Also in the Intervention Fund Account, he applied approximately N3.8billiont. Balance for all the contracts that were awarded in the Intervention Fund Account was left for the payment of all awarded contracts upon completion. It is on record that out of the N2billion soft loan from Rivers State Government for the Port Harcourt runway, approximately N1, 633,000,000.00 was in the account when Keyamo came into office. However, N1.5billion (50% of the contract cost) was paid to the contractor, leaving approximately N133million in that account. The balance for the Port Harcourt runway of N1.5 billion is also embedded in the main Intervention Fund account.
Nigerians are happy because no money has ever been missing, misappropriated, mismanaged or unaccounted for by Keyamo.
6. Within two weeks of assumption of office it is to his credit that Keyamo resolved a protracted land dispute that had delayed the commencement of the construction of the Abuja airport’s second runway, despite an initial deposit made over a year before the commencement of the current administration, in collaboration with the Minister of the FCT, the sum of N825.8 million was paid as compensation to the host Jiwa community and other stakeholders in Abuja. Who will not be happy with a Minister like that?
7. A people-oriented leader, Keyamo within a month of assumption also directed all airlines to vacate the old terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after a tour of the facility which aided him in identifying the flaws in the design of the facility which initially rendered the terminal unusable for many international flights. Consequently, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the relocation of international flight operations from the airport’s old terminal to the new terminal two, making it fully operational. He also in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, supervised the remodelling of the Arrival Hall of Wing E of the Lagos International Airport into a brand-new facility through a Public-Private Partnership. In a bid to curb the waste of public resources and prevent the rot of FAAN’s abandoned Lagos building among others, Keyamo in January approved the relocation of FAAN’s headquarters from Abuja to Lagos, explaining that officials of the agency spent about N1 billion in 2023 on Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) and air tickets for travels between Abuja and Lagos. The decision enabled the project contractors to return to work Chief Keyamo in a demonstration of enthusiasm for national development and patriotism made certain that the Lagos Airport Second Runway which was out of use was swiftly repaired and reactivated, he also ensured the grounding of more planes that the NCAA considered to be unfit for air travel than any other Minister in the history of aviation thereby saving lives.
8. Nigerians are happy with Keyamo as Aviation Minister because he has been able to resolve several lingering concerns undermining the industry and develop a robust and efficient aviation sector. Keyamo’s Influence in shaping public opinion, and changing narratives, coupled with visionary attributes in offering innovative solutions, led to Nigerians being accorded the same respect that other nationals were enjoying from foreign airlines all over the world. This is because he summoned them and insisted that this must be so.
9. Keyamo under rare and difficult situations as Minister of Aviation, fought for and won several international routes for Nigerian carriers.
10. A man who demanded accountability and discipline from all levels of staff, he ensured that there was a much higher level of discipline and efficiency from the airline operators and parastatals as a Minister. A dogged workaholic, Festus ensured the completion and launching of the MMA Terminal 2, which is probably one of the best examples of public/private sector partnerships on the African continent. This gave Nigerian aviation a tremendous boost.
11. Keyamo initiated and followed to a logical conclusion the recommendation for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) autonomy from the Ministry and the passing of the Bill by the National Assembly after it was given unprecedented support by Mr President and the Ministry of Aviation. This resulted in the passing of the NCAA Act.
12. Keyamo established an independent and thoroughly professional Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) which was set up to investigate air crashes. The before him was for the Ministry of Aviation itself to investigate air crashes but this proved to be inefficient, unsatisfactory, unreliable and subject to manipulation.
13. Through Keyamo, Nigeria became a signatory of the “Cape Town Convention”, which allowed Nigerian airline operators to secure international loans.
14. He won approval from the Federal Executive Council and implemented the policy of “re-capitalization” of all the airlines operating in the country. This led to the establishment of bigger, stronger airliners with a larger capital and asset base and phased out the era of “one owner, one pilot, one plane” airliners which were virtually operating as flying coffins in Nigeria. This increased and enhanced the safety of Nigerian carriers and ensured that they were in a better position to honour all their obligations and insurance claims.
15. Under Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and as a consequence of his action the Ministry of Aviation was granted access to and the exclusive utilisation of the BASA Fund (Bi-lateral Air Services Agreement Fund) which is lodged at the CBN which runs into billions of Naira. The aviation sector desperately needs this money.
16. A man who earns respect from both opponents and supporters, his astuteness and character, earned him the confidence of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) bringing them into the affairs of the airports, an action that mitigated against and greatly reduced the cases of money laundering and other related crimes.
17. One very strong reason for the positive feelings of Nigerians towards Festus Keyamo is the forthright handling of the long-awaited TRACON project (Total Radar Coverage) for the whole country. Before assuming office, the project had been abandoned for two years simply because someone had suggested that the original system, which had already depleted huge sums of money, should be abandoned and a newer more modern system, used only by 3 other countries in the world, should be procured. This decision left Nigeria with no radar coverage because everything came to a standstill, with obvious implications for air travel in Nigeria and even for the defence of our airspace. The newer system that was being proposed was not only unsuitable for Nigeria but would also have come at an even higher cost in terms of money and time.
18. Keyamo’s involvement of the company; Thales of France, and the approval for the manufacture and procurement of the original system, which had been contracted and partially paid for, led to the commencement of work on TRACON. Not done Keyamo also insisted that the original plan be implemented. Undaunted by the addition of more funds, the project has led to Nigeria having a full radar coverage. Nigerians are indeed very happy that Keyamo did not resurrect the project but so it to its logical conclusion. Today, Nigeria has full radar coverage for enhanced defence capabilities and safety, ensuring that planes stop disappearing without a trace.
19. As a result of Keyamo’s initiatives and various interventions, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja and the Aminu Kano International, Kano Airports have been concessioned by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). He resurrected and restored radar coverage for Lagos and Abuja (150km range) and this was the first time that radar had worked anywhere in the country since 1979. Nigerians feel highly gratified because this is a matter of national pride and self-respect.
20. A resilient and indefatigable fighter, Keyamo used his congruence to influence the Federal Executive Council into approving a waiver on the importation of spare parts for Nigerian airline operators. This has helped the airline operators considerably and cushioned the effects of the re-capitalization policy on them.
21. Nigerians are happy with Keyamo as minister of Aviation because of the installation of the “Ground Proximity Warning System” (GPWS) in every plane that flies in Nigerian airspace. This has also enhanced safety and security.
22. Keyamo has achieved so much as Aviation Minister to make Nigerians happy. He enforced the “no cutting of corners” standard for all airline operators in the country, leading to full compliance with all the safety and security rules and mechanisms. He established the removal of the discretionary powers of pilots to land in bad weather and rather gave the control tower the power to compel them not to land if the weather was not good enough. This has enhanced safety immeasurably and, saved many lives. Nigerians are happy because Keyamo will always clarify complex issues, develop innovative solutions, inspire confidence, champion justice and equality, and provide insightful legal perspectives. They are happy with him for supporting job creation initiatives and encouraging youth participation in politics. Nigerians are very happy with Keyamo for advocating for transparency and remaining exemplary in conduct.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Chief Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) has performed brilliantly well endearing him to the lives of millions of Nigerians. Keyamo’s outstanding achievements and breakthroughs in the Aviation and Aerospace Sector speak clearly and eloquently for him in the hearts and minds of the Nigerians, they can now fly without any fear. His sheer hard work and uncompromising audacious allegiance to the country coupled with unwavering patriotism has helped him thus far in endearing him to the minds of Nigerians and the future.
Ismail is a public affairs analyst writing from Kaduna.
