The Federal Government is preparing to introduce the Fly Nigeria Act to the National Assembly, a policy designed to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry by requiring government officials to prioritize local airlines for official travel.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the 2025 ministerial press briefing held on Thursday in Abuja.
“We are in the process of pushing the Fly Nigeria Act to the National Assembly. Countries like the United States and India have their own ‘Fly Acts’ to promote national carriers, and we aim to do the same,” Keyamo explained.
The proposed legislation mandates that all government-funded official travel be conducted using Nigerian airlines. International airlines may only be used when a Nigerian carrier does not operate on a specific route.
“This is not only an aviation policy but a strategic move to enhance Nigeria’s economy,” Keyamo added.
He further noted that the Fly Nigeria Act aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, with aviation playing a key role in that ambition.
“The Fly Nigeria Act is in its final draft stage. Its purpose is to stimulate local business and contribute to achieving the President’s vision of a $1 trillion economy,” Keyamo said.
The minister also revealed that efforts to formalize the act are already underway.
“Once finalized, we will present the Fly Nigeria Act to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. Afterward, it will be presented to the National Assembly to prioritize local airlines for international routes over foreign carriers,” he added.
The Fly Nigeria Act is expected to increase demand for local airlines, foster growth in the aviation sector, and keep more revenue within Nigeria.
