Tinubu’s Aviation Overhaul Aims to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Next Major Air Hub
Nigeria’s aviation sector is gearing up for a transformative shift as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration intensifies efforts to close long-standing airport infrastructure gaps, with industry leaders predicting a dramatic improvement in passenger experience and airline profitability.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, working alongside key stakeholders, is championing an ambitious plan to modernise and expand facilities at major airports, particularly Lagos, to accommodate seamless transit operations. The move, stakeholders say, could unlock Nigeria’s potential to become a true regional air hub.
Speaking at the 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference in Lagos, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr Allen Onyema, described inadequate airport infrastructure as one of the most critical barriers holding back the growth of Nigerian airlines.
According to Onyema, the lack of proper transit facilities at major airports has for years cost Nigerian carriers both passengers and revenue.
Airlines in West and Central Africa, he noted, are disadvantaged when connecting passengers in Nigeria must clear immigration, undergo customs checks, and recheck their baggage — a cumbersome process that drives travellers to other African airports with more efficient systems.
“The absence of seamless connectivity limits our ability to integrate regional routes into global connections,” Onyema said, warning that Nigeria’s strategic advantage in aviation is being eroded by the current infrastructure shortfall.
However, he welcomed the Tinubu administration’s resolve to tackle the problem head-on, highlighting the planned reconstruction of Lagos airport facilities as a critical step. “With sustained focus, Nigeria could, within two years, have the infrastructure to compete with Africa’s top aviation hubs,” Onyema stated confidently.
The Air Peace boss stressed that airport upgrades serve as a form of indirect financing for airlines, cutting operational inefficiencies, reducing avoidable costs, and laying the foundation for sustainable expansion.
“With the right facilities in place, Nigerian carriers can match the success of leading African airlines within the next decade,” he asserted.
Industry watchers believe that if the government maintains its current momentum, the planned infrastructure boost will not only enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global aviation market but also create new revenue streams and competitive opportunities for domestic airlines.
