Reports from Lagos indicate the Nigerian government may resume negotiations with Ethiopian Airlines regarding the Nigeria Air project under a different name, following stalled discussions in 2024.
The Nigeria Air initiative, originally proposed by former president Muhammadu Buhari and aviation minister Hadi Sirika, collapsed after a change in government, with the current administration led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissing it as unrepresentative of Nigerian interests.
The High Court in Lagos declared the venture “null and void” on August 5, 2024, after an Airline Operators of Nigeria lawsuit claimed it would negatively affect local airlines; an investigation into past corruption is ongoing.
Recent diplomatic tensions arose from aviation minister Festus Keyamo’s opposition to the project, despite efforts to maintain discussions between Nigeria and Ethiopia, with officials clarifying that a revival of the Nigeria Air initiative may not be in the cards.
