In a candid critique, Allen Onyeama, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace, has added his voice to the growing dissent against the establishment of a national carrier in Nigeria, branding the concept as both moribund and a drain on resources.
Months ago, Nigeria launched its national carrier, Nigeria Air, but the initiative, surrounded by controversy, was swiftly suspended by the administration of President Bola Tinubu approximately two months after assuming power.
Despite the government’s decision to halt the project, the debate surrounding the ill-fated national carrier continues, with Onyeama vehemently asserting that Nigeria does not require such an entity due to the inherent challenges associated with running such a business.
On Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, Onyeama expressed his unequivocal opposition to the notion of a national carrier, stating, “Does Nigeria actually need a national carrier? It’s an emphatic no.”
He characterized the idea as archaic, pointing out that many countries abandoned government-owned airlines several decades ago.
Onyema clarified that several airlines bearing country names are merely “flag carriers” and are no longer owned by their respective nations.
Reflecting on the international landscape, Onyema questioned Nigeria’s focus on a national carrier, stating, “Why is my country going backward? In 2023, talking about national carriers?”
He asserted that the few African countries with national carriers are those lacking entrepreneurs with adequate funding, implying that economically viable nations prefer private-sector-driven aviation ventures.
Onyema’s critique aligns with a chorus of disapproval that has surrounded the national carrier’s launch, decades after the cessation of Nigerian Airways operations.
The Nigerian Senate has also criticized the Nigeria Air project, citing secrecy in its execution.
The Senate’s Committee on Aviation scrutinized the initiative and expressed concerns over its launch, questioning the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika’s handling of the project and labeling it as potentially fraudulent.
During the committee’s inquiry, it was revealed that the aircraft used to unveil Nigeria Air was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines, further fueling condemnation and skepticism surrounding the ill-fated project.
