Buhari Govt Announces New Date For Air Nigeria To Start Operations

The federal government on Wednesday announced that the much-publicized National airliner, Air Nigeria will begin operations in April 2022.

The update was given by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika while addressing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

As earlier reported by Naija News, today’s FEC meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking on the National carrier, Sirika explained that the government will only own a 5% stake in its operations, Nigerian business people will hold 46% while the remaining 49% will be reserved for some strategic equity partners, including foreign investors which the Minister noted are yet to be determined.

According to Sirika, it is projected that the coming on board of the new National Carrier will create about 70,000 jobs for Nigerians.

It will be recalled that about six months ago, in May 2021, the Minister had declared that Nigeria’s new national carrier will start operations from the first quarter of 2022.

Sirika said then that the airline will be run in partnership with the private sector and Nigerians are set to enjoy cheaper air rates.

Explaining the delay in the take-off of the airline’s operation, the Minister revealed that the planned take-off was affected by the global covid-19 pandemic.

Sirika however disclosed that his Ministry will return to the FEC to submit a memo with an outline business case for the council’s approval.