Business
The Aviation General: Celebrating Festus Keyamo’s Transformative One Year in Office
One Year In Office: Celebrating Festus Keyamo’s Developmental Strides As Aviation General
Exactly one year ago, the appointment of Festus Keyamo SAN CON FCIarb (UK) as Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development was met with widespread skepticism. A renowned lawyer and public advocate, Keyamo was seen as an outsider to the aviation sector—a square peg in a round hole. Critics questioned his ability to navigate the complex world of aviation, where technical expertise and industry experience are often considered prerequisites for success. However, as we mark the one-year anniversary of his tenure, it is clear that Keyamo has defied expectations, emerging as a transformative force and a visionary leader in the aviation sector.
From the outset, Keyamo demonstrated a proactive approach that would come to define his leadership. One of his earliest victories was the realignment of Nigeria with the Capetown Convention, a crucial move that will open doors for local aviators to access international leasing markets. This achievement was not just a matter of policy but of strategic diplomacy. Keyamo’s engagement with the Attorney General, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and other legal stakeholders is paving the way for this milestone, setting a strong foundation for future growth in the aviation sector.
Keyamo’s foresight was further evident when he facilitated the launch of Air Peace’s London Gatwick route. Many faulted his involvement in this endeavour, viewing it as too patronizing. Today, Keyamo’s decision has proven to be a masterstroke, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s presence on the global aviation stage. This bold move is a reflection of his broader vision to elevate the country’s aviation industry to international standards.
Central to Keyamo’s agenda has been the renegotiation of the London Heathrow Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). Recognizing the imbalance in the current agreement, Keyamo has been a staunch advocate for fairness and reciprocity. His efforts to secure more favorable terms for Nigeria’s flag carriers underscore his commitment to ensuring that Nigerian airlines are not merely participants but key players in global aviation.
When tensions flared in the aviation sector over the contentious 50% revenue deductions, it was Keyamo’s diplomatic finesse that averted a potential crisis. His open letter to aviation workers, coupled with strategic negotiations with the federal government, resulted in a reduction of the deductions to 20%, thereby easing tensions and restoring industrial harmony. This episode highlighted Keyamo’s ability to navigate complex challenges with tact and resolve.
Keyamo’s engagement with global aviation giants like Boeing and Airbus further illustrates his determination to position Nigeria as a significant player in the industry. His discussions with Airbus in Toulouse and ongoing talks with Boeing in the U.S. are aimed at facilitating dry leasing options for Nigerian airlines, a move that could significantly boost the sector’s capacity and competitiveness.
Under Keyamo’s watch, Nigeria’s major airports have undergone significant improvements. From tackling corruption and touting to launching a Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations, the transformation is palpable. Perhaps one of his most notable achievements was the swift resolution of the protracted land dispute that had stalled the Abuja Second Runway project for years. In just two weeks, Keyamo achieved what his predecessors could not, clearing the way for the commencement of construction—a clear indicator of his no-nonsense approach to governance.
Keyamo’s impact extends beyond infrastructure. Within a month of taking office, he ordered all international airlines to relocate to the new Lagos terminal, making it fully operational. His quick fixes to design flaws and collaboration with the immigration service to remodel Wing E at the Murtala International Airport, Lagos, have transformed the terminal into a state-of-the-art facility. This public-private partnership model exemplifies the innovative spirit Keyamo brings to his role.
The reactivation of Lagos’ Second Runway, which had been out of service for two years, is another feather in Keyamo’s cap. His decisive action restored full operational capacity to Nigeria’s busiest airport, further demonstrating his ability to tackle longstanding issues with urgency and efficiency.
One of the most vexing challenges in the industry—trapped funds for foreign airlines—was also resolved under Keyamo’s leadership. By working closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria, he cleared the backlog, restoring confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector and reaffirming the country’s commitment to honoring its international obligations.
Some of the benefits of clearing the foreign airlines’ trapped funds is the resolve of Dubai visa issuance to Nigerians and the return of Emirates’ Nigeria/UAE flights, which industry experts have applauded as commendable. In not so long a time, specifically by October 1st, this year, Nigerians will have the luxury of reverting status quo by having the opportunity of frequenting the UAE once again, both for leisure and business purposes.
Keyamo’s successful negotiation with UK authorities to grant Air Peace reciprocal operating rights was a groundbreaking achievement. This move broke the longstanding monopoly of foreign airlines on the UK-Nigeria route, leading to more competitive airfares for Nigerian travelers and enhancing the nation’s aviation footprint.
In a bold step towards financial sustainability, Keyamo obtained Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval to require all VIPs to pay access fees at airport toll gates nationwide. This decision, ending decades of tradition, is a testament to his willingness to challenge the status quo in pursuit of progress.
Another monumental achievement under Keyamo’s watch was the United States-Nigeria Open Skies Air Transport Agreement entering into force. This agreement will pave the way for Nigerian airlines, as long as they can show capacity and consistency, to operate more freely on this crucial route, marking a significant leap forward for the industry.
Keyamo’s relentless efforts to establish a standard Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility that’ll accommodate wide-body-aircraft in Nigeria are nearing fruition. This initiative is poised to be a game-changer, reducing reliance on foreign facilities and cutting costs for airlines—a testament to Keyamo’s forward-thinking approach.
Perhaps one of his biggest challenges, the National Carrier project, is being handled with the utmost care and precision. With the supervision of Mr. President, Keyamo is keen on ensuring that this initiative is not just another political gimmick but a sustainable and profitable venture that will stand the test of time.
To combat illegal private charters and boost revenue, Keyamo launched a task force dedicated to this purpose. This initiative is already yielding results, with increased revenue generation for the industry and enhanced regulatory compliance.
Keyamo’s tenure has also been marked by a firm stand against corruption and misconduct in the aviation sector. His crackdown on touts and corrupt officials at airports has restored a sense of order and discipline in these critical hubs, enhancing the overall experience for travelers.
The ongoing upgrades to airport infrastructure across the country are a direct result of Keyamo’s proactive approach. His focus on quality and efficiency is evident in the improved facilities that travelers are beginning to experience, setting a new standard for the industry.
As the Honourable Minister celebrates his first year in office, it is clear that his appointment was one of the most astute decisions of President Tinubu’s administration. In just one year, he has laid a solid foundation for what promises to be a transformative tenure. His leadership is not just about fixing immediate problems but about building a legacy of excellence that will endure long after he has left office.
This 21-gun salute is not just a tribute to his remarkable achievements but a signal of the great things yet to come. With Festus Keyamo at the helm, Nigeria’s aviation sector is set to soar to new heights, cementing its place on the global stage.
Comrade Onajite Usman is a public affairs analyst and commentator from Ubiaja, Edo State.
NNPCL and Corruption’s Final Throes
By Pius Olasanmi
In the twilight of the Obasanjo administration, when Nigerians were still capable of being outraged, when Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of refineries was a buzzword that still held some mysticism to bamboozle citizens, during a conversation, a certain man said something profound. The man said, “As a businessman, if I were the owner of these refineries, knowing that they are three decades old, I would take the last money I have, hire bulldozers, raze them to the ground, and obtain loans to build new ones.”
When we pressed him further on why he would engage in such waste, he explained that repairing the refineries is the real waste. He explained that even if the TAM were honestly carried out, a thirty-year-old refinery would never compete favourably with a new one that would integrate contemporary technology. Operating at its best, such a refinery would never be comparatively more efficient. It is therefore pointless to have spent another one naira on the refineries at that point.
A few months later, I had a conversation with a then-lawmaker on an entirely different matter. I mentioned that the National Assembly has failed by not crafting legislation that would criminalise and punish public office holders who foist wrong decisions on the country. The logic: a public office holder need not steal to be punished, wrong decisions should attract penalties for an office holder who opts for the worst of all options when there are less injurious ones.
These established premises speak to the ongoing nauseating efforts at revisionism by those who wrecked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its previous iteration, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Notably, this campaign to rewrite history is traceable to Engineer Mele Kolo Kyari, the disgraced immediate past Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL and his hirelings. They have suffocated the news and the public opinion space with even more lies than they spun while in office.
The Saint Kyari campaign is anchored on convincing Nigerians that the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries were fully functional when he was booted out of office. So brazen is the campaign that one of its talking heads challenged the group chief executive officer (GCEO), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to “inform Nigerians categorically what happened to the functioning refineries he inherited from his predecessor, Engr. Mele Kyari.” The effrontery.
We have not forgotten so soon the charade that followed the baffling claim that Nigeria has spent $2.8 billion on the repair of the refineries, while they are not churning out even a single litre of refined product among them. Saint Kyari and his goons played all manner of tricks, all of which embarrassed President Bola Tinubu, who had counted on ticking off the return to productivity of the refineries as part of his achievements, only to realise that he was deceived into celebrating phantoms. Tragic.
Lest we forget, 200 trucks were arranged as props in a well-directed video clip to celebrate the re-streaming of the Port Harcourt Refinery. The disappointment. Nigerians were to learn from several reports that the Port Harcourt refinery was not producing and was instead using old, stored petroleum products to load trucks. Worse still, the Kyari crew was passing off sanction-tainted Russian-sourced crude oil refined in Malta as locally refined products. More insult was piled on the assault on our collective sensibility with the lies that the Port Harcourt Refinery exported semi-finished products. Brazen.
Meanwhile, Kyari and his hirelings called those who pointed out or protested these glaring scams all manner of names. They hid behind industry technicalities and jargon to create the impression that those of us who knew Nigerians were being robbed did not understand what we were saying. The point remains that a $2.8 billion investment can potentially build a refinery with a capacity of around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd). Of course, the actual capacity of such a refinery will depend on various factors, including the complexity of the refinery, the technology used, and the location. That is the amount that Kyari’s regime at the NNPCL took and did not give Nigerians refined products.
Fast forward to Kyari’s sack and the appointment of Engineer Bayo Ojulari, who has demonstrated that things can indeed be done differently. Kyari’s exit was expectedly followed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) going after him and his associates. The extent of the theft is better understood against the backdrop of N80 billion being found in the bank account of one of his associates. They went on the run.
Perhaps because the EFCC was biding its time on securing international warrants for the arrests of these characters on the lam, they have become emboldened. They have decided to fight back and rewrite the story of their participation in the greatest fraud against Nigerians. Engineer Ojulari’s renewed mindset, which is entrenching a semblance of the transparency Nigerians demand, became their natural target. The demons that once roamed around the corporation came out with malevolence. They started spinning stories of corruption to tarnish the incumbent who refused to hide their crimes. The objective: bring Ojulari down. But alas, he is winning the war as it stands.
His innocence is proven, and it is glaring that those who want him out are mere charlatans who can no longer ply their corrupt wares because of the impact of the new reforms. Corruption in the NNPCL is in its final throes. The fake news being unleashed against the incumbent leadership is akin to corruption’s last kicks as reforms in the sector strangulate it and its practitioners. The reforms must take place in the NNPCL, whether the industry demons like it or not.
As a parting shot, Kyari and his associates would do well to prepare their defence. In addition to accounting for the $2.8 billion they laundered in the name of repairing the moribund refineries, they must also answer for the poor decision to fix that which is irretrievably broken. Awarding contracts for Turn Around Maintenance of 59-year-old refineries that a right-thinking person had suggested should be demolished almost twenty years ago, when they were only 30 years old, is criminal. Trying to deceive Nigerians that the fake repairs worked is treason.
Olasanmi is a public affairs analyst writing from Lagos.
GRANDIS 5STAR LUXURY APARTMENT & SUITES SET TO REDEFINE LIVING IN VICTORIA ISLAND
Set to Rise elegantly against the Lagos skyline, is the Grandis 5Star Luxury Apartment & Suites. According to Adejuwon Ademola, The General Manager of the Development company, it is more than just a residential building
“it’s a lifestyle statement. Standing 17 floors high in the heart of Victoria Island, this revolutionary masterpiece of modern architecture will offer a panoramic 360° view of Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi, transforming every apartment into an exclusive penthouse experience for the world’s most discerning elite.”
Developed by Dumarco Construction Limited, a globally acclaimed company with decades of delivering complex, high-value projects in the highly regulated petroleum, oil, and gas industries, Grandis 5Star brings unmatched international safety standards, uncompromising quality, and timeless elegance into Nigeria’s luxury property market.
> “When you live in Grandis, you’re not just buying a home—you’re investing in peace of mind, world-class safety, and an effortless luxury experience that will remain pristine for decades,” says Adejuwon A. Ademola, General Manager of Dumarco Construction Limited.
The Gold Standard in Safety and Quality
Dumarco’s roots in the oil and gas sector mean the company operates to some of the strictest safety protocols in the world. Every stage—from conceptualization, design, construction, to long-term maintenance—follows internationally accepted procedures and quality assurance measures. Cutting corners is simply not in Dumarco’s vocabulary.
> “In the oil and gas industry, there’s no room for compromise. We’ve brought that same discipline and zero-tolerance for mediocrity into property development,” says Ademola. “That’s why Grandis will be one of the safest and most enduring residential developments in Nigeria.”
To ensure transparency and prevent (project complacency), Dumarco deliberately separates the developer, contractor, and consultant roles, engaging only the most competent professionals in each respective field. Dumarco’s project team includes globally recognized contractors such as Julius Berger, Cappa & D’Alberto, and Elalan, Migliore Construczione & Tecniche (MC&T) and their partners VENCO IMTIAZ CONTRACTING COMPANY (VICC) based in Dubai, UAE, Business Contracting Limited, alongside leading consultants like Morgan Omanitan & Abe, LAMBERT, and James Cubitt.
Grandis – Investments, appreciation, returns and profitability
Our selection process for the location of the project alone was pains-taking and completely thorough scientific process. Top professional companies were employed to conduct a scientific data acquisition and analytical survey of the entire Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Eko Atlantic before a project site is selected. Analyzing and acquiring areas developmental charts and trends, studying and gathering historical and present sale prices, rental charge and occupancy rates over a 50 year period from every individual street before the selection of the location of any of our developments especially true for the Grandis Project
He adds,
“Our clients and residents can be rest assured that the location of Grandis has been scientifically proven through all existing data to provide our clients with a 100% occupancy rate, highest developmental location, highest rental income and investment returns. ”
The Grandis Experience
Located minutes away from international corporate headquarters, embassies, and landmarks such as Eko Hotel, Radisson Blu, and the Radisson Red, Grandis offers unmatched convenience for professionals, diplomats, and high-net-worth individuals. Every residence is designed for both indulgence and efficiency, with high-grade finishes, smart-home systems, and private amenities that ensure seamless living.
From sunrise over the Atlantic to the glittering Lagos night skyline, residents will enjoy uninterrupted luxury, supported by discreet and highly trained staff, advanced security systems, and a design that prioritizes comfort and privacy.
> “We designed Grandis for people who want everything—security, elegance, convenience, and the assurance that their home will look as spectacular in 20 years as it does on day one,” Ademola notes.
A Legacy That Lasts
With its combination of visionary architecture, peerless safety, and meticulous maintenance planning, Grandis is built to remain iconic for generations. Thanks to Dumarco’s meticulous approach, the building’s service charges are expected to remain low while its value and appeal continue to appreciate over time.
In a market often marred by shortcuts and substandard practices, Mr Ademola says
Grandis stands as a beacon of what luxury living should be—safe, spectacular, and built to last.
“Grandis 5Star Luxury Apartment & Suites — Where safety meets sophistication, and every detail is designed for a life well-lived.”
He added
Website -www.dumarcoltd.com
Project website – www.26idowutaylor.com
Email [email protected]
Tel / WhatsApp +234 9077777883
GM – Adejuwon A. Ademola
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