Nigeria has been removed from the Aviation Working Group (AWG) blacklist following major reforms introduced by the Federal Government to strengthen aviation financing, aircraft leasing, and compliance with the Cape Town Convention (CTC).

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), disclosed this while addressing global aviation stakeholders at the Aviation Working Group General Meeting held in London.

Speaking before international financiers, aircraft lessors, legal practitioners, and aviation industry leaders, Keyamo said Nigeria’s compliance score under the Cape Town Convention improved significantly due to ongoing regulatory and judicial reforms implemented by the Federal Government.

According to the Minister, Nigeria’s compliance rating rose from 49 per cent to 70.5 per cent after the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court signed a new Practice Direction strengthening legal enforcement in aviation-related matters.

He added that the operationalisation of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) further raised the country’s compliance score to 75.5 per cent, resulting in Nigeria’s removal from the AWG blacklist.

Keyamo described the development as a major boost for investor confidence and aircraft financing opportunities within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He explained that the reforms were part of broader efforts to position Nigeria as a safe and competitive destination for aircraft leasing and aviation investments.

The Minister noted that over 80 per cent of aircraft operating within Nigeria’s registry are currently acquired through lease arrangements, adding that most leased aircraft whose contracts expired were deregistered and exported successfully without disputes.

“These milestones did not happen by chance. They were driven by targeted regulatory reforms designed to demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the Cape Town Convention both in substance and in practice,” he said.

Keyamo stated that the reforms were already producing positive outcomes, including successful dry lease transactions involving Nigerian airlines and international financing institutions.

He, however, acknowledged that operational challenges such as customs-related procedures, foreign exchange fluctuations, temporary importation processes, and inter-agency coordination issues still exist within the aviation financing environment.

The Minister assured stakeholders that the Federal Government was actively addressing the issues through coordinated institutional reforms, digitalisation programmes, and enhanced regulatory oversight by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

In another major development, Keyamo announced that the Federal Executive Council had approved the establishment of a Nigerian Aircraft Leasing Company projected to unlock over one billion dollars in future aviation financing capacity.

According to him, the initiative would help Nigerian airlines access aircraft on more competitive terms, reduce dependence on foreign lessors, and support fleet expansion and operational stability.

Keyamo stressed that Nigeria’s aviation market requires sustainable financing systems capable of supporting rising passenger traffic and long-term sector growth.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to international best practices, legal certainty, and constructive collaboration with global aviation stakeholders.

“The Cape Town Convention is more than a treaty. It is a framework for building trust,” the Minister stated.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms would strengthen aviation financing and support economic growth not only within Nigeria but across the African continent.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed support for indigenous airlines as Bayelsa State-owned Pioneer Airlines officially moves closer to commencing operations after securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received the airline’s management team in Abuja on Wednesday following the successful certification of the carrier.

The delegation was led by Pioneer Airlines Group Managing Director, Capt. Okobaundu Henry Ungbuku, who formally presented the airline’s AOC certificate to the Minister and thanked the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its agencies for supporting the certification process.

Capt. Ungbuku described the approval as a significant achievement for Bayelsa State and said the development demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening indigenous airlines.

He praised the Ministry for encouraging private and state-backed investment in the aviation sector and creating policies that support local operators.

During the meeting, the Pioneer Airlines boss also introduced members of the airline’s management team responsible for operations, commercial services, safety, engineering, business development, and human resources.

Speaking during the visit, Keyamo welcomed the airline’s entry into the market and said the growing involvement of state governments in aviation would help expand Nigeria’s domestic and regional air transport network.

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government was developing a Nigerian Leasing Company to support local airlines with aircraft acquisition and reduce operational difficulties faced by indigenous carriers.

He explained that Pioneer Airlines could become one of the beneficiaries of the initiative when fully operational.

Keyamo further stressed that Nigeria has a large aviation market capable of supporting more local carriers, especially on regional routes currently dominated by foreign airlines.

According to him, stronger indigenous participation in the sector would improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The visit concluded with renewed commitments between the Ministry and Pioneer Airlines to work together towards expanding air transport opportunities and improving regional connectivity across the country.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified efforts to reposition the country’s air cargo sector with a strategic engagement involving cargo agents and freight forwarders at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The meeting, organised by FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS), focused on plans for the proposed Cargo Village and the operational framework expected to drive a more efficient and globally competitive cargo system in Nigeria.

Held on May 12, 2026, the session brought together recognised agents’ associations operating across the cargo value chain under the theme: “Strategic Engagement Session on Cargo Village Development and Operational Framework.”

Representing the Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr. Lekan Thomas, the General Manager, Cargo, Mrs. Alao Mamman, said stronger collaboration among stakeholders remained critical to the successful delivery of the Cargo Village project.

According to her, the initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency, simplify cargo handling procedures, and align airport cargo operations with international best practices and global standards.

Also speaking during the engagement, the General Manager, Cargo Partnerships and Registration, Engr. Jay Etim, outlined major components of the project, including the development of the Aviacargo Village, creation of an integrated cargo logistics hub, and co-location of cargo stakeholders within a coordinated operational environment.

He added that the framework would also strengthen operational standards, improve access control systems, and ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements while reinforcing the role of licensed cargo agents in the evolving aviation logistics ecosystem.

Stakeholders at the meeting were given the opportunity to contribute recommendations and operational insights aimed at ensuring the project reflects industry realities and promotes inclusiveness across the cargo sector.

FAAN said the engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to create a more structured, secure, and efficient cargo environment capable of supporting trade growth and boosting Nigeria’s aviation logistics capacity.