Keyamo presents N184.4bn aviation budget to National Assembly
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, 25 February, presented a proposed ₦184,392,160,433.00 budget for the Ministry to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation at the National Assembly.
Addressing the lawmakers, Keyamo expressed gratitude to the Committees for their “unwavering support and cooperation” since the inception of the current administration.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the National Assembly to advance the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
A statement signed by Margaret Oyinboade, Ag. Head, Press and Public Affairs quoted the minister as saying: “The 2026 budget proposal is strategically designed to modernise safety systems, upgrade digital infrastructure, and strengthen human capacity development across the aviation ecosystem.”
He added that the Ministry remains focused on improving operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery in line with global best practices.
Keyamo highlighted milestones recorded in the 2025 fiscal year despite funding constraints, including the Federal Government’s clearance of outstanding debts owed to foreign airlines.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the reopening of direct flights to the United Arab Emirates, the commencement of direct Abuja–Heathrow operations by a local airline, and the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic operators.
The Minister also briefed the Committees on a recent fire outbreak at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, which destroyed critical equipment belonging to some aviation agencies.
He urged the National Assembly to support the affected agencies in replacing the damaged equipment, noting the incident led to significant operational losses in the sector.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai, emphasised that public funds must be managed judiciously, reminding that it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to appropriate funds and ensure transparency and accountability.
He advised Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise ongoing projects and avoid abandonment, while encouraging the Minister to maintain a cordial relationship with the Committee.
Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Festus Olanrewaju, urged that the budget implementation should remain people-oriented, promote infrastructural development, and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.