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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed concern over the growing difficulty of hiring private jets for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling for the revival of Nigeria’s national carrier.
Akpabio raised the concern during Tuesday’s plenary while contributing to a debate on challenges confronting the country’s aviation sector and air travellers.
He warned that the pressure on available aircraft could worsen during the December festive season, noting that even political campaign organisations were finding it difficult to secure private jets for hire.
“Watch December and the confusion. Even the private airlines cannot handle. Common campaigns, we cannot see even private jets to hire,” he said.
The Senate President argued that reviving a national airline would ease pressure on the aviation industry, improve connectivity and restore Nigeria’s presence in international air transportation.
“Somebody should bring a motion that will enable Nigeria to revive its own airline. Nigeria should have Nigeria Airways.
“A national carrier should birth in this country carrying Nigerian flag as it used to be,” he said.
Recalling the operations of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Akpabio said the airline once operated a fleet of about 40 aircraft, including DC-10 planes that transported passengers to international destinations such as Saudi Arabia.
He questioned how the country had moved from operating such a sizeable national fleet to its current state of limited capacity in the aviation industry.
“How did we get here?” he asked.
Akpabio spoke during deliberations on a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, seeking a review and enforcement of Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement with China.
Monguno urged the Federal Government to negotiate arrangements that would enable Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to China, arguing that improved air connectivity would reduce travel time, strengthen supply chains and boost trade between the two countries.
He added that direct flights would help reduce foreign exchange outflows associated with international air travel.
Also contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, said Nigeria was not adequately benefiting from its relationship with China despite the Asian country's growing influence in the global economy.
At the end of the debate, the Senate urged the Ministry of Aviation to renegotiate the bilateral agreement with China to establish direct commercial air links between both countries.
