Buhari's Aviation Legacy: A Mixed Bag of Promises and Failures

Strategic Insights -

The Nigerian aviation sector has had a tumultuous history under former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, marked by both modest achievements and glaring failures. Buhari's appointment of Hadi Sirika, an industry professional, as Minister of State for Aviation in 2015 raised hopes for reform, but his tenure ultimately fell short of expectations. Despite some improvements in airport infrastructure, the administration's aviation roadmap, which aimed to transform Nigeria into a regional hub, was largely unrealized. The most contentious issue was the establishment of a national carrier, Nigeria Air, which was launched just days before Sirika's tenure ended, sparking widespread criticism and questions over its transparency.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hadi Sirika's tenure as Aviation Minister was marked by a mix of modest achievements and failures, with only 6% of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative's (ASRTI) recommendations implemented, 42% remaining work in progress, and 52% not touched.
  • The administration's aviation roadmap, which promised to transform Nigeria into a regional hub, fell flat, with the establishment of a national carrier, Nigeria Air, being one of the most contentious issues.
  • The sector faced severe consequences from Buhari's administration's inability to address the issue of blocked foreign exchange funds, with over $700 million trapped in foreign airlines' bank accounts.
  • The administration failed to address the issue of Nigeria's poor standing on the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its Aircraft Protocol, which hindered the financing and leasing of aircraft for domestic carriers.
  • Sirika's leadership style was criticized for being nepotistic, with allegations of lopsided appointments and disregard for the rule of law.
  • The administration's last-minute decision to change the name of the Ministry of Aviation to Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace and annex the National Aerospace Research Development Agency (NASRDA) from the Ministry of Science and Technology raised suspicions.

Statistics:

  • Only 6% of ASRTI's recommendations were implemented during Sirika's tenure.
  • $700 million in foreign exchange funds was trapped in foreign airlines' bank accounts due to Buhari's administration's inability to address the issue.
  • Nigeria's poor standing on the Cape Town Convention hindered the financing and leasing of aircraft for domestic carriers.
  • Between 2015 and April 2022, 84% of the 280 persons who were newly recruited to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) came from the north.
  • Similar situations took place in NAMA and FAAN.

Sources:

  • "IATA, aviation sector in crisis over $700m funds" (Daily Sun)
  • "ART wants probe of Sirika's aviation sector" (The Guardian)
  • "Buhari's aviation roadmap fails" (Vanguard)
  • "Nigeria Air: a scam or a national carrier?" (ThisDay)
  • "The Cape Town Convention: a key to Nigeria's aviation growth" (The Punch)