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Nigeria’s aviation industry has taken a significant step forward as the country’s score on the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Compliance Index improved from 70.5% to 75.5%, securing Nigeria a place in the ‘high category’ and marking its removal from the Aviation Working Group’s (AWG) watchlist of non-compliant nations.
The improvement follows the recent signing of Administrative Rules on the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA), a regulation that governs aircraft repossession by creditors and lessors.
This regulatory upgrade assures global stakeholders of Nigeria’s commitment to aviation industry standards.
The AWG communicated Nigeria’s improved compliance status in a statement to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN.
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The statement noted, “The signing of IDERA completes Nigeria’s compliance process,” underscoring the importance of this development for attracting investment in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to the Minister, the enhanced compliance status will allow Nigerian airlines to enter aircraft financing and dry-leasing markets worldwide.
“This milestone enables Nigerian operators to access aircraft leasing markets more readily, translating to increased flight regularity, expanded routes, and potentially more competitive ticket prices,” Moshood explained.
With these new opportunities, Nigeria’s aviation sector is positioned to make flights more accessible to the public while improving service reliability and coverage across various destinations.
Keyamo lauded for Nigeria's aviation reform
Meanwhile, the Centre for Africa Civilisation and Development (CACD) has commended Keyamo for his impactful reforms in the aviation sector.
CACD's Executive Director, Prince Madaki, described Keyamo as a "transformative leader," citing improvements in air safety, local airline empowerment, and airport infrastructure as examples of his proactive approach.
"Under his leadership, the relocation of airlines to Murtala Muhammed International Airport's new terminal has greatly enhanced the passenger experience," Madaki noted at a press briefing in Abuja, attributing the improvement to Keyamo's focus on efficiency and transparency.
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Madaki further highlighted Keyamo's efforts to boost air safety through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and his commitment to building public trust in domestic carriers, which has increased confidence in local flights.
The CACD called for sustained infrastructure investment and international partnerships, reinforcing their confidence in Keyamo's ability to foster long-term growth for Nigeria's aviation industry.