Senate rejects Nigeria Air revival, Akpabio calls for fresh national carrier push

The Nigerian Senate has declined to revive the Nigeria Air national carrier project, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to call for a new legislative effort to establish a viable domestic air travel provider. This decision came after a plenary session on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, where lawmakers voted down a motion proposing the revival of Nigeria Air during discussions on Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China.

Nigeria Air was initially proposed under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines. However, the project was abandoned following allegations of irregularities and concerns over the terms of the partnership. Following the rejection, Akpabio expressed concern about the need for a national carrier, citing challenges in securing private aircraft for charter and the strain on domestic airlines during the December travel rush.

He also noted that Nigeria Air once had 32 aircraft and 40 routes under its operation. The conversation on Nigeria’s BASA with China, sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno, aimed to review and enforce the agreement to ensure reciprocal access for Nigerian airlines to direct flights to China. Monguno highlighted that more than one million Nigerians reside in China, alongside over 500,000 Chinese nationals living in Nigeria, arguing that direct air connectivity could reduce travel time, improve supply-chain efficiency, enhance trade, and limit foreign exchange losses from international travel.

The Senate directed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the agreement and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage in diplomatic talks with China regarding business visa facilitation for Nigerian traders and reciprocal slot allocations at Chinese airports. The Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with following up with the ministries and reporting back within four weeks.

Despite its initial revival proposal in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, Nigeria Air was suspended in 2024 due to concerns about its viability and allegations of favoritism towards Ethiopian Airlines. The ministry also maintained that the deal was detrimental to Nigeria’s aviation sector, leading to the project's discontinuation.