By Albert Akota
The Immediate past Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika led huge reforms in eight years to retained the highest safety and security rating, issued by the United States of America’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in holding on to it gives local airlines access to fly directly to the United States and vice versa.
In the past eight years, the Nigerian aviation Sector experienced significant growth in adding value to the economy. It contributed to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and the creation of new jobs even when other sectors posted negative growth.
The industry between 2015-2023 recorded huge investments in critical safety infrastructure to improve air safety in Nigeria as well as new airlines that opened shop in Nigeria were the highest in the last eight years compared and new airports were opened in some states
Nigerians didn’t only applaud the increased number of Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel but improved tailored training to meet contemporary security challenges at the airports.
Also trained security agencies operating at all the airports in Nigeria that include the Nigerian police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the Air Force, the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
The milestone prompted ex-President Mohammadu Buhari to prioritized aviation safety and security. The AVSEC under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) got more trained personnel and was approved to bear arms by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The procurement of more radar equipment, including primary radars to achieve total radar coverage for enhanced national security the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and enhanced accurate weather prediction forecast following procuring of more modern weather equipment by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
However, federal government has projects that with the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, the overall goal is to grow the Aviation sector’s contribution from the current 0.6% to 5% (approximately $14.166 billion).
“With the implementation of open skies, according to a study on SAATM by Embraer (2020), in 2038, using traffic forecasts and economic impact estimates from ICAO, Nigeria’s aviation industry would contribute some $1.3 billion to GDP.
That number would rise to $7.2 billion when factoring in the induced and indirect catalytic effects of tourism. Aviation could generate 800,000 jobs of which 60,000 would be directly associated with airline operations” the report indicated.
Aviation sector study for Nigeria by International Air Transportation Association (IATA) in June 2020, showcases the significant contribution of air transportation to the National economy, by providing 241,000 jobs (direct and indirect) and a contribution of $1.7 billion to the National economy.
Giving a scorecard of the aviation sector before he left office, Hadi Sirika said “We have successfully debunked the claim that aviation doubles every 15 years, in Nigeria, the number of airports including those being developed has doubled, the passenger number has doubled.
“Other entrepreneurship including catering and ground handling has blossomed, the number of airlines and jobs has multiplied, even the 2020 global pandemic could push back Nigeria’s aviation industry growth,”he said.
Under Hadi Serika leadership Federal government anticipates the development of Nigeria’s major commercial airports and surrounding communities into efficient, profitable, and self-sustaining commercial would increased private sector participation and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in creating jobs and grow the local industry.
Federal government has acquired land and the process for the selection of a preferred partner has commenced to ensure complement of commercial facilities that support airlines and aviation-linked businesses development of hospitality and tourism-oriented real estate assets.
