Janefrances Chibuzor
Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr Allen Onyema, has thrown his support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to overhaul Nigeria’s airports, calling it a long-overdue move that could transform the country’s aviation industry and position it as a true regional hub.
Speaking at the 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference in Lagos, Onyema said the state of Nigeria’s airport infrastructure remains one of the biggest barriers to growth for local airlines. He pointed out that the lack of proper transit facilities at major airports has prevented Nigeria from competing with other African hubs, costing airlines both passengers and revenue.
According to him, airlines operating in West and Central Africa lose business when connecting passengers are forced to clear immigration, pass through customs, and recheck their baggage simply to transit through Nigeria. This, he said, drives travellers to use other African airports with smoother systems. The absence of seamless connections has also limited the ability of Nigerian airlines to link regional routes with global destinations.
Onyema welcomed the Federal Government’s recent steps, particularly the plan to rebuild Lagos airport to handle modern transit operations. He said that with strong follow-through, Nigeria could have the necessary facilities within two years to compete with top African hubs.
He explained that infrastructure upgrades indirectly benefit airlines by cutting inefficiencies, reducing costs, and creating conditions for sustainable growth. Better airports, he said, would lead to fewer delays, smoother operations, and improved on-time performance — all of which save money for carriers. With the right facilities, Nigerian airlines could match the success of the continent’s leading carriers within the next decade.
The government’s proposals are expected to include new terminal layouts that allow secure passenger transfers, upgraded baggage systems for through-checking luggage, improved runway capacity, and faster immigration and customs processes where needed. Similar upgrades are being considered for Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu airports in later phases.
Onyema stressed that modern infrastructure would also open up new revenue streams for both airlines and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Increased passenger numbers, higher landing and parking fees, stronger retail sales, and better cargo handling would all boost income.
The International Air Transport Association projects that Africa’s air passenger numbers could double by 2040, with West Africa set to take a significant share. Nigeria’s size and location give it a strong advantage in this growth, but Onyema warned that without the necessary infrastructure, the country would fail to capture the opportunity.
While welcoming the airport upgrade plans, industry watchers say physical improvements alone will not solve the sector’s problems. They point to high fuel prices, currency instability, multiple taxes, and a shortage of maintenance facilities as additional challenges. There are also concerns about whether the government can deliver on its promises, given that previous airport projects have suffered delays or failed to meet expectations.
Onyema acknowledged these challenges but urged stakeholders to back the current efforts. He said early signs suggest a genuine commitment from the Tinubu administration, and that learning from past mistakes could make the difference this time.
For passengers, he said, improved airports would mean shorter connection times, easier transfers, and better service quality. For airlines, it would mean greater efficiency, higher passenger volumes, and stronger integration with global flight networks.
If delivered as promised, the reforms could move Nigeria from a point-to-point air travel market to a true regional hub with global links. This would not only boost the reputation of Nigerian aviation but also allow the country to benefit from the growing demand for air travel across Africa.
Onyema concluded by saying Nigeria already has the market, population, and ambition to lead in African aviation. “What we lack is the infrastructure to make it happen. Once we fix that, there is nothing stopping Nigeria from becoming one of the continent’s top aviation hubs,” he said.
