Nigeria Senate Summons Aviation Minister Over Rampant Flight Delays and Cancellations
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, airline operators, and other key stakeholders to address the escalating crisis of flight delays and cancellations across the country.
The resolution followed a motion tabled by Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North) during plenary, prompting the Senate’s Committee on Aviation to investigate the matter and propose solutions.
Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Buhari referenced data from the NCAA, which revealed that over 19,250 passengers were subjected to lengthy delays between January and June this year, while nearly 2,000 travelers reported the loss of more than 19,000 pieces of luggage. The senator expressed alarm at the increasing frequency of disruptions, which he argued undermine the reliability of air travel—a vital mode of transport for business and official engagements.
“This development is deeply worrisome,” Buhari said. “Air travel is one of the most dependable means of transportation, yet these delays and cancellations are becoming counterproductive to the socio-economic growth of our country.”
The senator emphasized that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, empowered by the Civil Aviation Act, is tasked with regulating the sector to ensure adherence to international standards and safeguarding consumer rights. He urged the NCAA to enforce its 2023 consumer protection regulations more effectively, noting that many Nigerians remain unaware of their entitlement to compensation for delays.
Buhari warned that unchecked inefficiencies in the aviation industry could jeopardize the government’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment and diversify the economy. “The quest for economic transformation will remain an illusion if our aviation industry fails to meet globally accepted standards,” he stated.
The Senate’s decision marks a critical step in holding stakeholders accountable for systemic failures that have left passengers stranded and undermined confidence in the sector.
