By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Experts in Nigeria’s aviation sector on Thursday made key recommendations to address persistent challenges in airport transit infrastructure, financing, insurance, and aviation data, among others.

They spoke during a panel session at the 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Conference 2025, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Chairman of Air Peace Ltd., Dr Allen Onyema, in his remarks, said Nigeria continued to face unfair international stigmatisation in the aviation space.

According to him, the insurance premium paid by a Nigerian airline is often equivalent to what five airlines pay in other parts of the world.

He also noted that the lack of proper transit facilities and infrastructure at the Lagos airport had significantly impacted airline revenues.

Onyema identified high interest rates—nearly 30 per cent—as a major hurdle in aviation financing, in contrast to single-digit rates in many other countries.

He further stressed that global risk perceptions about Nigeria had led to disproportionately high insurance premiums for local airlines.

He said: “We need to do self-introspection and show financial discipline and integrity and imbibe financial integrity.

“Foreign exchange is stable now and it is now accessible; airlines can now plan; we are operating in a disadvantage environment.

“Government should create a window for the local airline to thrive,” he said.

Onyema recalled the sacrifices made by his airline to secure the London route despite numerous setbacks, stressing that Nigerian airlines deserve to be celebrated.

He, however, noted that forming a total alliance among local airlines would be challenging due to various risk factors.

The Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., Mr Remi Jibodu, spoke on the critical link between airport investment and reliable aviation data.

According to him, establishing a central aviation data bank and harmonising data across the sector are essential for effective planning and attracting investment.

“If you want to build an airport or invest in one, and you’re looking for data to assess profitability, but the data available is inconsistent, it becomes a major setback,” he said.

Jibodu stressed the need for a comprehensive and accessible data plan that would support proper planning, accurate projections, and investor confidence.

He further noted that with the improved dry lease window now available to Nigerian airlines, this is the right time for airports to begin considering apron expansion and other critical infrastructure upgrades.

The Chief Executive Officer of Balujane Konsult, Mr Chris Aligbe, advised Nigerian airlines to spread their risks and form alliances—similar to their foreign counterparts—in order to operate more efficiently.

Aligbe noted that no foreign airline would establish a hub in Nigeria, stressing that only Nigerian carriers could and take on that responsibility.

He added that the country had the capacity to support at least three strong airlines that could form a formidable national aviation presence.

The Chief Executive Officer of CITA Aviation Fuelling Company, Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe, also decried the interest rate on financing, stating that no airline would survive under such conditions.

Ogungbangbe, therefore, suggested that the Federal Government could get a percentage of a Nigerian carrier like Air Peace and make it a national carrier.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was attended by stakeholders from all segments of the aviation industry.

Participants also explored green financing as a viable means of strengthening the financial capacity of airlines.

A compendium detailing the history of aviation in Nigeria, compiled by the association, was also launched at the event. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa