The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, chaired by Nnolim Nnaji, declared the launch of Nigeria Air under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration a fraud.
The statement came during an investigative hearing in Abuja with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and Ministry of Aviation representatives.
Key Allegations
Nnaji highlighted that major stakeholders, including those in the deal between the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines, denied knowledge of the Nigeria Air launch on May 26, 2023.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) revealed that the aircraft, adorned with Nigerian colors, was a chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines, a claim confirmed by other stakeholders who noted that chartered flights can be painted with any livery.
The Ministry of Aviation’s assertion that the event was an unveiling, not a launch, was dismissed by the committee as a diversionary tactic.
Committee’s Concerns
The committee criticized former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika for proceeding with the launch despite a Federal High Court injunction and the lack of provisions to sustain the airline’s operations.
The process was described as “highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy, and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria before the international community.”
The committee also expressed disappointment with Ethiopian Airlines’ role, noting it strained the brotherly relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Resolution
The committee passed a resolution to:
- Direct the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its partners to immediately suspend Nigeria Air’s operations and related actions.
- Urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to form a high-level presidential committee to review the entire Nigeria Air project and advise on next steps.
- Ensure that individuals, groups, or organizations involved in the “controversial shenanigan named ‘Nigeria Air Take-Off’” are prosecuted and sanctioned.
The committee emphasized that while it supports the concept of a national carrier, the process must be transparent and inclusive to prevent misuse of public resources.
Background
The Nigeria Air project faced opposition from the AON, which sued the Federal Government over concerns about the deal’s structure and fairness.
Despite this, Sirika unveiled the carrier three days before the end of Buhari’s administration, prompting widespread controversy.
