Nigerian Government suspends National carrier project

Few months ago, there was hope in the air when the Federal Government of Nigeria announced that it was about to launch a new national air carrier, "Nigeria Air" but that will no longer be the case as the government on Wednesday announce the suspension of the project.

The decision was disclosed by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the federal government took the decision to suspend the procurement of Nigeria Air at the federal executive council meeting. Sirika didn’t give any specific reasons for the suspension.

The Minister who said the decision was strategic dismissed claims that the suspension was due to pressure from stakeholders and the political atmosphere.

It can be recalled that the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika had back in July unveiled the name of Nigeria’s national carrier – Nigeria Air, as well as the logo of the brand at an event at the Farnborough International Airshow in London.

The minister had said the national carrier will be private-sector driven and the purpose will be to make profit and there will be no governmental interference in the running of the business. 

This will be a National Carrier that is Private sector-led and driven. It is a business, not a social service. Government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it. The investors will have full responsibility for this. The Nigerian Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier. Government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it, he said