The International Airlines Association of Nigeria is pushing for closer collaboration with the Federal Government on airport modernisation, passenger facilitation and safety enhancement to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation value chain.
The Chairman of the International Airlines Association of Nigeria (Airline Operators Committee), Damilola Ogunseye, said the body was ready to align with the government’s aviation reform agenda and deepen partnership across critical segments of the industry.
Ogunseye said, “The International Airline Association of Nigeria fully aligns with the government’s programmes, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, aviation policy reforms, tourism promotion, cargo development, and human capital development.
We see strong opportunities to collaborate in airport modernisation, passenger facilitation, safety enhancement, and the overall improvement of the aviation value chain.”
He noted that the aviation reforms enacted by the 9th National Assembly under the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila had laid a strong foundation for sectoral transformation.
During the leadership of former Speaker of the House of Representatives Gbajabiamila, the National Assembly passed the New Aviation Act (2022), a set of reform laws that repealed outdated regulations and modernised Nigeria’s aviation sector. The legislation strengthened aviation safety and security, improved airport management, enhanced airspace control and meteorological services, and boosted aviation training and accident investigation frameworks.
Ogunseye said the reforms strengthened regulatory oversight, aligned Nigeria’s aviation framework with international standards, and enhanced efficiency, safety and service delivery across the industry.
He also commended the Federal Government’s drive to improve the business climate in the country.
“We also commend your consistent advocacy for policies that promote ease of doing business, infrastructure development, and investor confidence, all of which are critical to the successful operation of international airlines in Nigeria and to our collective aspiration of positioning Nigeria as a major aviation hub in Africa,” Ogunseye said.
The IAAN chairman stressed that international carriers remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as a leading aviation hub on the continent, saying, “We remain fully committed to working closely with your office, relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to improve connectivity, attract foreign investment, promote tourism, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global air transport.”
He added that sustained collaboration between operators and government agencies would accelerate airport upgrades, improve passenger experience, boost safety standards and unlock greater value across the aviation ecosystem.
