The Presidency on Monday held an evaluation meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and agency heads under the ministry to review the 2024 performance assessment report for the first three quarters. The meeting aimed to track the implementation of Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables.
The review, led by Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, called for improved collaboration between the ministry and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to address the rising issue of flight delays and cancellations.
Flight Cancellations in Focus
In December 2024, NCAA’s Acting Director-General, Chris Najomo, expressed concern over the increasing flight disruptions. He revealed during an engagement with airlines in Lagos that:
September 2024: Out of 5,291 flights, 2,434 were delayed, and 79 were cancelled.
October 2024: Of 5,513 flights, 2,791 were delayed, and 111 were cancelled.
Najomo emphasized the need for strict enforcement of regulations to curb the trend.
Incomplete Reports Criticized
The Presidency also criticized the Aviation Ministry for submitting incomplete information, which hindered independent investigations into its activities. The oversight team urged the ministry to provide comprehensive data to facilitate a thorough evaluation of its performance.
Way Forward
The presidency’s directive to revise policies on airline sanctions and improve operational efficiency underscores the government’s commitment to addressing challenges in the aviation sector. As the ministry faces mounting pressure to resolve these issues, it remains to be seen how swiftly and effectively these reforms will be implemented.