The Festus Keyamo-led Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development on Wednesday, 25 February, submitted a proposed ₦184,392,160,433 budget for 2026 to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation at the National Assembly.
Keyamo thanked the Committees for their “unwavering support and cooperation” since the start of the current administration and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the legislature to drive the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to a statement signed by Margaret Oyinboade, Acting Head of Press and Public Affairs, the minister described the budget proposal as “strategically designed to modernise safety systems, upgrade digital infrastructure, and strengthen human capacity development across the aviation ecosystem.” He added that the Ministry remains focused on improving operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery in line with global best practices.
Keyamo highlighted key achievements from the 2025 fiscal year despite funding constraints, including the Federal Government’s clearance of outstanding debts owed to foreign airlines, Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the reopening of direct flights to the United Arab Emirates, the commencement of direct Abuja–Heathrow operations by a local carrier, and the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic operators.
The Minister also briefed lawmakers on a recent fire outbreak at Murtala Muhammed International Airport that destroyed critical equipment belonging to several aviation agencies. He urged the National Assembly to support the affected agencies in replacing the lost equipment, noting the incident caused significant operational disruptions.
In response, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai, emphasised that public funds must be managed judiciously, reminding that it is the constitutional duty of the National Assembly to appropriate funds while ensuring transparency and accountability. He advised Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise ongoing projects and avoid abandonment, while encouraging the Minister to maintain a cordial working relationship with the Committee.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Festus Olanrewaju, urged that budget implementation should remain people-oriented, support infrastructural development, and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
The 2026 proposal signals the Ministry’s intent to balance modernisation, safety, and operational efficiency, reinforcing the government’s broader vision of a competitive and globally aligned aviation sector.