President Bola Tinubu has stopped the planned merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced.
Speaking at the NCAA’s 25th-anniversary celebration in Abuja, Keyamo explained that the decision came after reviewing the Oronsanye Report, which had recommended merging several government agencies. He stated that the aviation sector was exempted because the president is focused on its growth and transformation.
Keyamo also revealed that despite a government directive banning publicly funded international trips for officials, Tinubu made an exception for aviation. The minister said he had written to the president, emphasizing the sector’s critical role in safety and international compliance. In response, Tinubu approved the exemption, allowing aviation officials to travel when necessary.
The minister highlighted the significant progress in Nigeria’s aviation industry, from improved regulations to airport development and airline growth. He described the NCAA as a resilient institution, having survived challenges over the years.
On the merger proposal, Keyamo confirmed that after careful consideration, the Tinubu administration decided against combining NCAA and NAMA. He explained that while the Oronsanye Report had been considered in previous administrations, Tinubu ultimately chose to maintain both agencies to ensure continued efficiency in the aviation sector.