Nigeria can’t revive what is already dead – Akpabio
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to explore the establishment of a viable national carrier that would fly the country’s flag.
It rejected calls for the revival of Nigeria Airways and Air Nigeria, which Senate President, Godswill Akpabio described as dead.
Also, it urged the government to renegotiate and enforce Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China to enable Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to the Asian country.
It said there was an urgent need to review existing aviation arrangements to address the imbalance in flight operations between the two countries and ensure that Nigerian carriers enjoyed reciprocal access to China.
Also, it asked the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic talks with China on facilitating business visas for Nigerian traders and securing reciprocal flight slots at Chinese airports.
The resolutions were reached on Tuesday following a motion titled, “Enforcing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA)”, sponsored by the Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North).
The Senate mandated its Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs to ensure compliance with the resolutions and report back to the chamber within four weeks.
It also noted the growing trade relationship between Nigeria and China and the need for the country to maximise the economic benefits of the partnership.
An additional prayer by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) seeking the revival of the defunct national airline sparked further debate but was rejected.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, dismissed the proposal, arguing that reviving an airline that had long ceased operations was not the way forward.
“We can’t revive what is already dead,” Akpabio said, advocating the establishment of an entirely new and viable national carrier.
While acknowledging the importance of having a Nigerian-owned airline, the Senate President recalled that the country once operated a fleet of nearly 40 aircraft, questioning how it had reached a situation where it struggled to secure aircraft for hire.
Akpabio, however, warned that Nigeria might have to reconsider the privileges granted to Chinese airlines if Nigerian carriers were denied reciprocal access to operate direct flights to China.
The development comes amid renewed debate over the proposed Nigeria Air project, following the unveiling of an aircraft in May 2023, which was alleged to have been a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane leased for a 72-hour display before being returned to Addis Ababa.
Earlier, while presenting the motion, Monguno noted that Nigeria and China had significant populations of citizens living in each other’s territories, creating substantial demand for direct air connectivity.
He argued that a more balanced agreement would reduce travel time, improve supply-chain efficiency, boost trade and limit foreign exchange outflows associated with international travel.
Monguno said the Senate noted that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement with China to establish direct commercial air links and regulate flight frequencies.
He also cited the growing trade volume between the two countries, which he said reached $18bn in the first half of 2025, representing a 35 per cent increase year-on-year.
He further referred to the strategic importance of the agreement, saying direct flights would position the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as major gateways connecting West and Central Africa to East Asia.
According to him, enforcing the agreement would reduce travel time, improve supply chains, retain foreign exchange, increase aviation revenue, promote small and medium-scale enterprises and expand non-oil exports.
He added that the arrangement would support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by facilitating trade, strengthening diplomatic relations, creating employment and opening up export opportunities.
The senator also identified the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Customs Service as key institutions required to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement.
He proposed measures including strict enforcement of BASA reciprocity, rationalisation of sixth-freedom competition, bilateral code-sharing arrangements, temporary airport fee waivers and a direct naira settlement window under the existing bilateral currency swap framework.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that Nigeria was not receiving commensurate benefits from its relationship with China despite the Asian country’s growing influence in the global economy.
