Nigerian Senate rejects Nigeria Air revival and calls for direct China flights
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Premium Times and Leadership
Nigeria’s Senate has rejected reviving Nigeria Air and called for direct flights to China, Premium Times reports. Leadership says senators considered that a national airline would require a separate motion and legislative review, while calling for reciprocal flight rights for Nigerian carriers.
Nigeria’s Senate has ruled out reviving Nigeria Air and called for direct flights to China for Nigerian airlines, Premium Times reports. According to Leadership, senators said that reviving a national carrier would require a separate motion and distinct legislative review.
The request for direct flights was included in a motion by Senate Majority Leader Mohammed Tahir Monguno, calling for the renegotiation of the bilateral air services agreement between Nigeria and China to guarantee reciprocal flight rights. Monguno said trade between the two countries had reached $18 billion in the first half of 2025, up 25% year on year, following a total of $28 billion in 2024. He also said that more than 100,000 Nigerians lived in China and more than 500,000 Chinese lived in Nigeria.
Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi named Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Azman Air and Ibom Air as Nigerian carriers that could expand their operations to China, subject to regulatory and operational requirements. He also accused some Chinese mining operations in Nigeria of failing to meet all legal obligations and called for increased public oversight.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the establishment of a national airline, saying it would improve connectivity and help keep foreign currency in the country. He tasked the Senate Committee on Compliance with Laws with working with the ministries of Aviation and Foreign Affairs to monitor the implementation of the resolutions, according to Leadership.
