Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, has stated that the 'Fly Nigerian Act' bill has been introduced, which requires government personnel to use Nigerian airlines on foreign routes. Keyamo stated this on Sunday at the event commemorating Air Peace's first direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport. Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, and Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace, were present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to witness the ceremony. “We are going to bring the bill on the Fly Nigerian Air to him (Benjamin Kalu). He will pass it,” Keyamo said.
He explained that the proposed legislation would require all government officials travelling abroad to prioritize Nigerian airlines on any route where they operate, unless no local carrier serves that destination.
According to the minister, the initiative aligns with global best practices, noting that countries like the United States and India have similar laws protecting their national carriers—such as the Fly America Act and Fly India Act.
“We have the Fly American Act. I think we have the Fly India Act. We have these laws all over the world, but we have not implemented them,” he said.
“If a government official, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Senate, minister, DG, or government official is flying to any part of the world, the first question you ask them is, ‘Is there a Nigerian airline flying that route?
“You must buy that airline ticket first, except that they are not flying that route. That is the Fly Nigerian Act that we want to do.”
Keyamo added that the Ministry of Aviation is determined to see the bill enacted, emphasizing that it would strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector and enhance public trust in domestic airlines.