Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to global air transport standards and facilitation protocols. He made this declaration during his address at the ongoing 2025 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Facilitation (FAL) Conference in Doha, Qatar.
Minister Keyamo joined global aviation leaders at the high-level gathering, including Qatar’s Minister of Transport, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani; ICAO Council President, Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano; and ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, among others.
In his remarks, Keyamo conveyed warm greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and praised ICAO and the Qatari government for convening the pivotal conference.
“Since Nigeria joined the ICAO Council in 1962, we have played an active and strategic role inA advancing international aviation standards, particularly across Africa,” Keyamo said. He highlighted Nigeria’s ratification of several key international air law instruments, including the Montreal Protocol and amendments to the Chicago Convention.
The Minister noted Nigeria’s leadership role in African aviation compliance, attributing the progress to a robust regulatory framework and a skilled aviation workforce. Under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has implemented transformative aviation policies to align with global standards.
Among the landmark initiatives highlighted was Nigeria’s endorsement of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) and the Practice Direction on the deregistration and export of leased aircraft. This contributed to Nigeria’s Aviation Working Group (AWG) Compliance Index rising from 49.5% in early 2024 to 70.5% in September.
Further boosting investor confidence, Nigeria signed the IDERA (Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization) in December 2024. This is expected to raise the country’s compliance score to 75.5%, positioning Nigeria in the ‘High’ compliance category and removing it from the AWG watchlist.
Keyamo also spotlighted the implementation of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) technologies through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). These systems enhance border security, streamline entry protocols, and bolster data collection and analysis.
Additionally, Nigeria is deploying biometric e-Gates at international airports to fast-track passenger clearance and strengthen national security frameworks. The country’s partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was also praised for building capacity in the use of AP/PNR data for law enforcement and security operations.
“As we chart the future of global air travel, Nigeria stands ready to align with innovative technologies and collaborative policies that promote seamless, secure, and efficient aviation operations,” Keyamo affirmed.
Concluding his address, the Minister endorsed the Doha Declaration on the Facilitation of International Air Transport and reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to a connected, secure, and resilient global aviation network.
