Bola Tinubu has intervened in Nigeria’s deepening aviation crisis, approving a 30 percent debt relief for airline operators and directing urgent negotiations on soaring jet fuel prices and aviation charges.
The intervention followed an emergency meeting in Abuja involving the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, airline operators, and regulatory agencies over the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel and the threat of a nationwide shutdown.
Airline operators under the Airline Operators of Nigeria had earlier warned that they could suspend operations from April 20, 2026, citing what they described as an “astronomical and unsustainable” increase in fuel prices.
Following the meeting, Keyamo said he had briefed the President, who immediately directed that a formal request be brought forward for approval of relief measures.
“He specifically asked that we bring the request to him first thing tomorrow and assured that he will personally determine the level of discount,” Keyamo said.
He confirmed that Tinubu approved a 30 percent reduction in debts owed by airlines to key aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The President also ordered the formation of a committee to review multiple taxes, levies, and fees affecting domestic air transport, with a mandate to recommend reductions aimed at easing operational pressure on airlines and lowering passenger costs.
According to officials, Tinubu is also expected to meet airline operators directly in the coming days to discuss broader solutions, including access to cheaper financing for the sector.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle, said fuel marketers would also be engaged in follow-up discussions aimed at stabilising Jet A1 pricing.
“We hope that by tomorrow, by 4 p.m., we would have resolved some of these issues,” she said.
Airline operators, however, maintained that the situation remained critical, with Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, warning that fuel prices had risen by about 300 percent, placing severe strain on operations.
He said airlines were already operating under financial pressure and could not continue without urgent intervention, stressing that safety could be compromised if costs remain unchecked.
Operators welcomed the debt relief but also called for broader waivers on outstanding obligations and a temporary freeze on further payments until fuel prices stabilise.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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