The Nigerian Senate has rejected calls to revive the controversial Nigeria Air project, urging the Federal Government to establish a viable national carrier and secure direct flight access for Nigerian airlines to China.
The lawmakers also called for an urgent review and enforcement of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and China to address what they described as an imbalance in aviation operations between the two countries.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, during plenary on Tuesday.
Monguno drew attention to the need for Nigeria to enforce its bilateral aviation agreement with China, arguing that improved air connectivity would strengthen trade, reduce travel time and create more opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
He noted that Nigeria and China had significant populations of citizens living in each other’s territories, creating substantial demand for direct flights.
According to him, a balanced agreement would improve supply-chain efficiency, boost commercial activities and reduce foreign exchange outflows associated with international travel.
Senate Threatens to Reconsider Privileges for Chinese Airlines
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi expressed concern that Nigeria was not receiving commensurate benefits from its economic relationship with China despite the Asian country’s growing influence in the global economy.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also criticised the existing aviation arrangement, which allows Chinese airlines to operate direct flights to Nigeria while Nigerian carriers lack similar access to China.
Akpabio warned that Nigeria might have to reconsider the privileges granted to Chinese airlines if Nigerian operators were denied reciprocal access to the Chinese aviation market.
The Senate subsequently urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the agreement to establish direct commercial air links between both countries.
Akpabio Rejects Revival of Nigeria Air Project
The debate also turned to Nigeria’s proposed national carrier after Senator Ned Nwoko called for the revival of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
Akpabio questioned the wisdom of reviving an airline that had long ceased operations.
“We can’t revive what is already dead. Did Nigerian Airways ever work?” he asked.
However, the Senate President acknowledged the importance of having a Nigerian-owned national carrier capable of representing the country internationally.
He recalled that Nigeria Airways once operated a fleet of nearly 40 aircraft and urged the Federal Government to explore alternative arrangements for establishing a viable national airline.
The lawmakers maintained that Nigeria needed a national carrier that could ease the challenges facing air travellers and improve the country’s participation in the international aviation market.
Senate Gives Committees Four Weeks to Report
Beyond the aviation agreement, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic discussions with China on facilitating business visas for Nigerian traders.
It also called for reciprocal airport slot allocations to improve opportunities for Nigerian airlines operating in China.
The Senate adopted the motion through a voice vote and mandated its Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs to monitor compliance with the resolutions.
The committees are expected to report back to the Senate within four weeks.
The development comes amid continuing controversy surrounding the Nigeria Air project, which was unveiled shortly before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in May 2023.
The project subsequently faced allegations of fraud and misrepresentation, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika and other defendants over alleged contract-related offences.
