The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been accused of allegedly exerting undue pressure on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to issue an air operator’s certificate to Nigeria Air without due process by domestic airlines under the auspices of the Air Operators of Nigeria.
The airlines also alleged that without consulting a task force, which is meant to oversee this project, the then Minister of Aviation had embarked on an unjustified plan to set up Nigeria Air. In a statement released on Sunday by its spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, local carriers were quoted as saying this: The indigenous operators expressed their gratitude towards the NCAA for saving them from punishment by resisting the pressure from Minister Hadi Sirika to grant Nigeria Air an AOC without following due process. Furthermore, since a national carrier was proposed by the Ministerial Committee on National Carrierization to be private sector-led with minimal government involvement, the Association claims that the project has been shrouded in secrecy.
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After investigating, we found a dangerous plan to give Ethiopian Airlines a monopoly, which goes against Nigeria’s interests. We took legal action with evidence to protect Nigeria’s government, economy, and aviation sector.
A Nigerian anti-corruption group called for the arrest and investigation of Sirika over alleged economic malfeasance in the establishment of the national carrier. The request was made in a petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman and signed by the Executive Director of SELIP. The letter states that the plane revealed by Minister Hadi Sirika as the first flight of Nigeria Air on May 26, 2023, is still being used by Ethiopia Airlines. The Boeing 737-800 with registration number ET-APL has left Nigeria and is currently in Turkey, according to flight radar. A flight with Ethiopia Airlines’ registration landed, proving Nigeria Air lacks an AOC. No aircraft is registered in Nigeria without an AOC, so Ethiopia Airlines’ aircraft are not Nigeria Air’s.
The group wants the anti-graft agency to make Sirika explain the expenditure of N15.9 billion by the government on the project. They accuse the minister of acting out of desperation to conceal fraudulent activity. The aircraft unveiled in Abuja flew back to Ethiopia the next day. Tracker showed it en route from the Central African Republic.
