Festus Keyamo’s One Year In Office: An Aviator’s Motion With Flying Movements By Adeboye Adebayo

It is crystal clear now to every sane Nigerians that the country was on the verge of total collapse before Bola Tinubu came on board. Sector by sector analysis of our economy showed that everything had gone south ranging from oil and gas, aviation, power, security, just name them.

But President Bola Tinubu as a patriot decided to safe the situation as a biblical sacrificial lamb and chose not to play safe like many others before him.

Appointing Festus Keyamo as the Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, the President made it clear to all appointees that he asked for the job and they should join him to execute the job diligently as he will not condone any excuse for non- performance or impunity, no wonder the President was decisive in dealing with the corruption allegations against the former minister of humanitarian; Beta Edu by suspending her immediately to pave way for unbiased investigation.

Barrister Festus Keyamo, as the Minister of Aviation aka Aviator 001 has made significant strides in the aviation sector during his just one year office. Upon assuming his ministerial role in August 2023, Keyamo inherited a sector plagued by longstanding challenges, including corruption, inefficiencies, and stalled projects like the controversial Nigeria Air project.

One of Keyamo’s major achievements has been his proactive approach to tackling the entrenched corruption within the aviation sector. He introduced transparency measures and enforced a zero-tolerance policy for corrupt practices, which helped streamline operations and fostered a culture of accountability. This effort has been crucial in beginning to restore public trust in the sector, which had been severely undermined over the years.

In terms of infrastructure, Keyamo initiated significant modernization projects aimed at upgrading Nigeria’s aviation facilities. These include the refurbishment of airport terminals and the enhancement of runway safety. Under his watch, flight cancellations have reduced, and flight schedules have become more reliable, which has notably improved the passenger experience.

Nigeria’s Aviator 001 also addressed operational bottlenecks by resolving land disputes that had delayed critical airport projects, such as the development of the second runway at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, this was a key step in expanding the capacity and safety of one of Nigeria’s busiest airports and the commencement of construction on the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, which is expected to be completed soon.

Keyamo has also emphasized the importance of enhancing airport facilities across the country to accommodate growing passenger numbers and new airline.

To strengthen the financial health of Nigerian airlines, Keyamo worked to remove the informal “blacklisting” of Nigerian carriers by international lessors, making it easier for these airlines to lease aircraft on favorable terms. This move was particularly crucial for facilitating international routes, as seen in the successful launch of Air Peace’s flights to London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow coming very soon, a milestone that Keyamo personally supported and made happen.

Safety has been another top priority for Keyamo. He has overseen efforts to maintain and improve navigational infrastructure, including agreements for better radar coverage across Nigeria. He also reaffirmed his commitment to adhering to international aviation safety standards, particularly through collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Furthermore, Keyamo’s background as an activist has been instrumental in his approach to leadership in the aviation sector. His commitment to fairness and his willingness to challenge the status quo have been vital in pushing through reforms that were previously stalled or neglected. He has actively engaged with industry stakeholders to understand the technical complexities of the aviation industry, which has allowed him to implement practical and effective solutions.

Although there are still challenges, particularly with infrastructure financing and the full implementation of reforms, however, his first year in office has laid a solid foundation for further development. His tenure thus far signals a new direction for Nigeria’s aviation sector, one that promises increased efficiency, safety, and transparency.

All of these initiatives and more to come reflect Keyamo’s broader agenda to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector for sustainable growth, focusing on safety, infrastructure, and financial viability.

*_Adeboye Adebayo is a participating & contributing member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, He was spokesman, APC, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Director, Media & Publicity, Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, National Publicity Secretary, Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation, AGF and Member, APC Professional Forum_*
[8/21, 5:17 PM] Bio Boye: Festus Keyamo’s One Year In Office: An Aviator’s Motion With Flying Movements By Adeboye Adebayo

It is crystal clear now to every sane Nigerians that the country was on the verge of total collapse before Bola Tinubu came on board. Sector by sector analysis of our economy showed that everything had gone south ranging from oil and gas, aviation, power, security, just name them.

But President Bola Tinubu as a patriot decided to safe the situation as a biblical sacrificial lamb and chose not to play safe like many others before him.

Appointing Festus Keyamo as the Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, the President made it clear to all appointees that he asked for the job and they should join him to execute the job diligently as he will not condone any excuse for non- performance or impunity, no wonder the President was decisive in dealing with the corruption allegations against the former minister of humanitarian; Beta Edu by suspending her immediately to pave way for unbiased investigation.

Barrister Festus Keyamo, as the Minister of Aviation aka Aviator 001 has made significant strides in the aviation sector during his just one year office. Upon assuming his ministerial role in August 2023, Keyamo inherited a sector plagued by longstanding challenges, including corruption, inefficiencies, and stalled projects like the controversial Nigeria Air project.

One of Keyamo’s major achievements has been his proactive approach to tackling the entrenched corruption within the aviation sector. He introduced transparency measures and enforced a zero-tolerance policy for corrupt practices, which helped streamline operations and fostered a culture of accountability. This effort has been crucial in beginning to restore public trust in the sector, which had been severely undermined over the years.

In terms of infrastructure, Keyamo initiated significant modernization projects aimed at upgrading Nigeria’s aviation facilities. These include the refurbishment of airport terminals and the enhancement of runway safety. Under his watch, flight cancellations have reduced, and flight schedules have become more reliable, which has notably improved the passenger experience.

Nigeria’s Aviator 001 also addressed operational bottlenecks by resolving land disputes that had delayed critical airport projects, such as the development of the second runway at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, this was a key step in expanding the capacity and safety of one of Nigeria’s busiest airports and the commencement of construction on the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, which is expected to be completed soon.

Keyamo has also emphasized the importance of enhancing airport facilities across the country to accommodate growing passenger numbers and new airline.

To strengthen the financial health of Nigerian airlines, Keyamo worked to remove the informal “blacklisting” of Nigerian carriers by international lessors, making it easier for these airlines to lease aircraft on favorable terms. This move was particularly crucial for facilitating international routes, as seen in the successful launch of Air Peace’s flights to London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow coming very soon, a milestone that Keyamo personally supported and made happen.

Safety has been another top priority for Keyamo. He has overseen efforts to maintain and improve navigational infrastructure, including agreements for better radar coverage across Nigeria. He also reaffirmed his commitment to adhering to international aviation safety standards, particularly through collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Furthermore, Keyamo’s background as an activist has been instrumental in his approach to leadership in the aviation sector. His commitment to fairness and his willingness to challenge the status quo have been vital in pushing through reforms that were previously stalled or neglected. He has actively engaged with industry stakeholders to understand the technical complexities of the aviation industry, which has allowed him to implement practical and effective solutions.

Although there are still challenges, particularly with infrastructure financing and the full implementation of reforms, however, his first year in office has laid a solid foundation for further development. His tenure thus far signals a new direction for Nigeria’s aviation sector, one that promises increased efficiency, safety, and transparency.

All of these initiatives and more to come reflect Keyamo’s broader agenda to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector for sustainable growth, focusing on safety, infrastructure, and financial viability.

*_Adeboye Adebayo is a participating & contributing member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, He was spokesman, APC, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Director, Media & Publicity, Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, National Publicity Secretary, Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation, AGF and Member, APC Professional Forum_*