By Dr. Abimbola Ayobami
What kind of giant has no wings?
It is a shame that Nigeria struggles with roads. It is a shame that we import toothpicks.
But it is a national shame, a diplomatic embarrassment, that Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, has no national carrier in 2026.
A country of 250 million people. The largest economy in Africa. The largest aviation market on the continent. And yet, when our citizens, our businessmen, our students, and our diplomats travel, they must beg seats on foreign airlines.
Everyone Else Still Has One. Why Don’t We?
While Nigeria grounded its flag, other nations kept theirs flying:
1. United Arab Emirates – Emirates and Etihad. Emirates alone flies to over 120 destinations and makes over $3 billion annually.
2. Qatar – Qatar Airways. Voted World’s Best Airline 7 times. Key tool of Qatari diplomacy.
3. Singapore – Singapore Airlines. A global brand for service and premium travel.
4. Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines. The pride of Africa. Flies to over 100 destinations, carries about 11 million passengers yearly, and makes over $2 billion annually. It is 100% government owned and profitable.
5. South Africa– South African Airways, restructured and flying again.
6. Morocco – Royal Air Maroc. The gateway between Africa and Europe.
7. Egypt– EgyptAir. A Star Alliance member for over 15 years.
8. Rwanda – RwandAir. Small country, but big ambition. Hub in Kigali.
9. Angola – TAAG Angola Airlines.
From Dubai to Addis Ababa, national carriers are not just airlines. They are foreign policy tools, cargo movers, job creators, and symbols of sovereignty.
Nigeria? We have none.
The Fraud of “Air Nigeria”: How We Were Scammed Again
Nigerians will remember the circus called “Nigeria Air.”
In 2023, under President Muhammadu Buhari, the then Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, unveiled a so-called national carrier at the twilight of the administration.
What did Nigerians get?
1. A chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane painted in Nigeria Air colors and paraded in Abuja for cameras.
2. No signed Air Operator Certificate, AOC, from NCAA.
3. No operational base, no fleet, no staff structure.
4. A 5% government equity, with 49% given to Ethiopian Airlines and 46% to "Nigerian investors" that no one knew.
The House of Representatives later called it a *"fraud"* and demanded a probe. The EFCC is still investigating. Billions of naira were spent on consultants, branding, and trips for a plane that never belonged to us.
That was not a launch. That was an insult.
The Data: What We Are Losing Every Year
The absence of a national carrier is costing Nigeria in hard currency and jobs.
1. Capital Flight: The International Air Transport Association, IATA, reports that over $1 billion leaves Nigeria yearly in airfares paid to foreign airlines. That is money that should circulate here.
2. Market Size: Nigeria accounts for over 35% of West Africa’s air traffic. Yet 90% of international traffic out of Lagos and Abuja is controlled by foreign carriers: British Airways, Qatar, Emirates, Turkish, Air France, KLM.
3. Jobs: Ethiopian Airlines employs over 10,000 people directly. Emirates employs over 50,000. Nigeria’s aviation sector employs less than 10,000 in scheduled operations. Thousands of pilot, engineer, and cabin crew jobs have been exported.
4. Cargo: 85% of Nigeria’s air cargo is moved by foreign airlines. Our ginger, hibiscus, and perishables are at the mercy of their schedules and prices.
We are the market. But we are not the owners.
Why A National Carrier Matters
This is not about pride alone. It is about economics and security.
1. Connectivity: A national carrier opens direct routes to China, Brazil, and the US that are not commercially viable for foreign airlines but are strategic for us.
2. Diplomacy: During COVID-19, RwandaAir and Ethiopian evacuated their citizens. Nigeria had to beg.
3. Tourism & Investment: Investors judge a country by its airline. No one believes a "giant" that cannot fly its own flag.
The Way Forward
We do not need another "Nigeria Air" scam. We need a real, professionally run, transparent national carrier with the following:
1. Zero Political Interference: Modeled after Ethiopian Airlines. Run by professionals, not politicians.
2. Public-Private Partnership: Government minority stake, with credible Nigerian investors and technical partners.
3. Legislative Protection: Pass a National Carrier Act that prevents it from being sold or killed by any single administration.
4. Focus on Regional Hub: Make Lagos and Abuja a true hub for West and Central Africa.
Conclusion
Giants do not beg for seats. Giants do not watch others profit from their market. Giants do not allow ministers to auction their flag for photo ops.
The world is not laughing at us because we are poor. They are laughing because we are careless.
Ethiopia with about 100 million people has Ethiopian Airlines. Rwanda with over 10 million people has RwandAir.
Nigeria with 250 million has press releases.
It is time we got our wings back. Not for vanity. But for business, for jobs, and for the dignity of a nation that calls itself the Giant of Africa.
A giant without an airline is just a big man walking.
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