Aviation News

United Nigeria Airlines has pledged 20 million naira to sponsor the annual Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction over the next ten years. The airline’s Executive Chairman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, announced the commitment after talks with the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. Under the arrangement, the airline will provide two million naira annually to sustain the literary award. Professor Okonkwo said Chinua Achebe’s legacy deserves lasting support, describing the late novelist as one of Africa’s greatest literary icons. ANA President, Dr. Usman Akanbi, welcomed the intervention, saying the sponsorship secures the future of the prize, which has struggled with funding in recent years following the withdrawal of government support.

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have renewed efforts to deepen bilateral relations, with both countries focusing on expanding trade, investment, aviation connectivity and cooperation in emerging technologies. The move followed a meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have renewed efforts to deepen bilateral relations, with both countries focusing on expanding trade, investment, aviation connectivity and cooperation in emerging technologies. The move followed a meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Wednesday. According to a statement on Thursday, August 20, by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the discussions covered bilateral trade and investment, economic cooperation, connectivity, emerging technologies and people-to-people relations. Alshamsi congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and expressed the UAE Embassy’s readiness to work with the ministry to advance areas of mutual interest. The envoy highlighted the growth in trade between both countries, which rose from about $3 billion to $4.3 billion in 2024 and approximately $5 billion in 2025. He expressed optimism that improved political relations would further boost trade and investment between Nigeria and the UAE. A key issue discussed was the UAE-Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which the UAE has already ratified. The ambassador expressed hope that the completion of the agreement’s ratification process by Nigeria would further expand economic ties between the two countries. The proposed commencement of Emirates Airline operations in Abuja was also discussed, with both sides reviewing ongoing consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities on strengthening air connectivity. Enikanolaiye welcomed the UAE’s continued interest in Nigeria and the increase in non-oil trade and investment, describing stronger economic relations as consistent with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy priorities. He said the government remained focused on diversifying export markets and promoting sectors including manufacturing, services, technology and fintech. The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to concluding the processes required for the implementation of CEPA and called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission. According to the ministry, the commission would provide an opportunity for both countries to resolve outstanding issues and identify new areas of cooperation. Nigeria and the UAE also identified artificial intelligence, digital technology and other emerging technologies as areas with significant potential for collaboration. The Nigerian side expressed interest in UAE support for knowledge transfer, skills development and capacity building, particularly for young Nigerians. The ministry said Nigeria also welcomed increased UAE investment in priority sectors such as infrastructure, technology, energy and financial services. The meeting further addressed people-to-people relations and the movement of citizens between both countries. Both sides welcomed progress in resolving previous visa-related challenges, which the ministry said would facilitate greater movement for business, investment, tourism and other purposes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two countries remained committed to consolidating their relationship, with sustained political engagement and stronger economic cooperation expected to deliver greater benefits to their citizens.

Nigeria’s aviation industry is set for a major boost in international connectivity as Etihad Airways prepares to resume daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Lagos from March 18, 2027. The development was disclosed as the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo undertook a strategic working visit to Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates and Etihad Airways. The planned return of Etihad to the Nigerian market is expected to strengthen air connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE while creating fresh opportunities for trade, tourism, cargo movement, investment and economic cooperation. Keyamo was received at the Etihad Airways Group Headquarters by senior executives led by Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali, senior vice president, Aeropolitical and International Government Affairs. The meeting focused on the final administrative arrangements for the commencement of the Lagos service and explored ways of developing a broader and mutually beneficial strategic partnership between Nigeria and the airline. Special adviser to the minister on media, Tunde Moshood in a statement last night, said “Beyond the planned flight operations, the minister’s visit also placed significant emphasis on capacity building and aviation skills development.” Keyamo toured Etihad Aviation Training, where he examined the airline’s advanced training infrastructure and explored potential areas of collaboration in pilot and cabin-crew training, curriculum development and human-capital development for Nigeria’s aviation industry. The minister also toured Zayed International Airport, where he examined its operational systems, passenger experience, technology and integrated airport infrastructure. Moshood said the visit provided an opportunity for Nigeria to gain insights into international best practices that could support the country’s ongoing efforts to improve airport efficiency, digitalisation, infrastructure and passenger experience. The emerging Nigeria-Etihad partnership is expected to extend beyond passenger flights, with potential cooperation in areas such as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), engineering, cargo and logistics, airport development, aviation technology, tourism and airline partnerships. The new daily service could also provide an important boost to Nigerian exporters, particularly businesses involved in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, by improving access to international cargo networks.

The African Bar Association (AFBA) Aviation Committee is set to host a high-level webinar focused on unlocking regional air connectivity as a catalyst for tourism, trade and economic growth across Africa. With the theme, “Connecting Africa’s Skies: Unlocking Regional Connectivity for Tourism, Trade and Economic Growth,” the virtual event will examine the challenges limiting seamless movement within the continent and explore practical solutions for building a more integrated aviation network. The committee says a truly connected Africa requires connected skies, stressing that while the continent is rich in opportunities, gaps in aviation policies, infrastructure and regional cooperation continue to hinder the free movement of people, goods and investments. The webinar will bring together aviation professionals, legal experts and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for bridging Africa’s connectivity gap, strengthening intra-African travel and creating an aviation environment that supports economic development. Discussions will focus on how improved air connectivity can open new markets, boost tourism, facilitate trade and unlock the continent’s vast economic potential. The event will be hosted by the Chairman of the AFBA Aviation Committee, Mrs Bridget Gold, FCIS, with contributions from Michael Aghatise, Managing Counsel, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, and Harriet N. Angetile, Director of Operations, Zambia Airports Corporation. The Secretary of the AFBA Aviation Committee, Uchenna Nwosu, will serve as co-host, while Professor Anthony Kila, Institute Director, Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, will moderate the session. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM West African Time (WAT) via Zoom. https://zoom.us/j/95569624360?pwd=ffagasS2SLv0G1SQR2LHXbVbKprb46.1 Organisers say the engagement is aimed at generating actionable ideas that will support a more connected African aviation sector and position the continent for greater tourism growth, trade expansion and economic transformation.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has led a delegation to Airbus’ production facility in Mirabel, Canada, for the pre-delivery inspection of Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The inspection is part of the formal acceptance process before the aircraft joins the airline’s fleet and enters commercial service in Nigeria. Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, described the inspection as “an important milestone” in the airline’s expansion programme, saying the new aircraft will boost capacity while delivering greater efficiency, safety and passenger comfort. Governor Umo Eno said the investment demonstrates the state’s commitment to strengthening Ibom Air as a strategic asset, adding that it supports the vision of making Akwa Ibom a leading aviation hub and will create new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment. Airbus Canada Chief Executive Officer and Head of the A220 Programme, Guillaume Chevasson, expressed appreciation for Ibom Air’s confidence in the A220 family, describing the aircraft as “ideal” for the airline’s fleet modernization because of its fuel efficiency, operational flexibility and passenger comfort. The aircraft will be ferried to Nigeria after the delivery process and officially inducted into the Ibom Air fleet before commencing commercial operations.