The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has presented the 2026 budget proposal of about ₦184.4b to the joint National Assembly committee on aviation.The Minister, during the budget presentation, stated that the 2026 budget proposal was strategically designed to modernise safety systems, upgrade digital infrastructure, and strengthen human capacity development across the aviation ecosystem.
He noted that the ministry remains focused on enhancing operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery in line with global best practices.
Highlighting achievements recorded in the 2025 fiscal year despite funding constraints, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government successfully cleared outstanding debts owed to foreign airlines.He also listed other significant milestones, including Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the reopening of direct flight operations to the United Arab Emirates, the commencement of direct Abuja–Heathrow operations by a local airline to enhance competition and reduce fares, and the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic operators.Keyamo further briefed the committees on the recent fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, which destroyed critical equipment belonging to some aviation agencies