‘The Oracle Himself’: Keyamo Hails Onyema, Air Peace for Transforming Nigeria’s Aviation Landscape
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has commended Air Peace and its Chairman, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, following the achievement of a major milestone with the successful launch of direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow, a move he described as a defining moment for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the grand event to mark the inaugural flight held in Abuja, Keyamo applauded Air Peace for its vision, resilience, and patriotism in taking Nigerian aviation to new heights.
He emphasized that securing the highly competitive Heathrow slot represents not just a triumph for the airline but also a testament to the capability of indigenous operators to compete on the world stage.
The Minister, who attended the event alongside top government officials and representatives of the Presidency, such as the Deputy Chief of Staff to The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting local carriers.
He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision, foresight, and unwavering support for Nigeria’s local airlines, emphasizing that the current administration’s aviation policy was deliberately designed to promote the growth and sustainability of indigenous operators.
“The mandate from Mr. President was clear to support the growth, development, and sustenance of our local entrepreneurs within the aviation sector. Air Peace is the biggest player we have in Nigerian aviation today, and it is the duty of government to support such visionary local businesses,” Keyamo stated.
Keyamo highlighted that the realization of the Abuja–Heathrow route followed months of diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, ultimately resulting in a fairer bilateral air service framework. He stressed that such victories are proof of what can be achieved when government and local entrepreneurs work in alignment.
The Abuja–Heathrow service comes nearly two years after Air Peace’s successful entry into the Lagos–London Gatwick route, cementing its position as the first Nigerian carrier to operate direct flights from both Lagos and Abuja to the United Kingdom.
In his remarks, the Minister also praised Dr. Allen Onyema for his doggedness, selflessness, and deep commitment to Nigeria’s progress, describing him as “the Oracle himself” and a visionary who has continued to invest massively in the country despite global opportunities elsewhere.
“This is a huge investment, driven by faith in the Nigerian dream,” Keyamo said. “Dr. Onyema’s courage and consistency embody the spirit of true nation-building, and as a government, we will continue to protect and promote businesses like Air Peace that are flying the Nigerian flag with pride.”
He concluded by reaffirming that Air Peace’s success represents a new dawn for Nigerian aviation, demonstrating that local players can not only match but surpass global standards when given the right support.
With this launch, Air Peace becomes the first Nigerian airline to operate direct flights between Abuja and London Heathrow, solidifying its status as West and Central Africa’s largest carrier and reinforcing its commitment to connecting Nigeria with the world.