Senate rejects airline revival, seeks direct flights to China
The Senate has rejected a proposal to revive the defunct Nigeria Airways and urged the federal government to renegotiate its aviation agreement with China to secure direct flights for Nigerian airlines.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, who called for a review and enforcement of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries to guarantee reciprocal access for Nigerian carriers.
“We can’t revive what is already dead. Did Nigerian Airways ever work?” Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked during a debate on a proposal to restore the defunct airline.
Monguno argued that the existing aviation arrangement needed to be reviewed to address inequalities in flight operations and ensure Nigerian airlines could operate direct commercial services to China.
He said growing economic relations and passenger traffic between the two countries justified stronger air connectivity, which could reduce travel time, improve trade, strengthen supply chains and limit foreign exchange outflows.
The senator also claimed that more than one million Nigerians lived in China, while over 500,000 Chinese nationals resided in Nigeria. The figures were not independently verified.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi expressed concern that Nigeria was not deriving sufficient economic benefits from its relationship with China despite expanding bilateral trade.
Akpabio warned that Nigeria could reconsider aviation privileges granted to Chinese airlines if Nigerian carriers continued to face restrictions on reciprocal access to Chinese airports.
The debate took another turn when Senator Ned Nwoko proposed reviving Nigeria Airways, prompting objections from Akpabio.
The Senate president questioned the practicality of restoring an airline that had ceased operations, although he acknowledged the importance of establishing a viable Nigerian-owned national carrier.
He recalled that Nigeria Airways once operated a fleet of nearly 40 aircraft and urged the government to explore sustainable alternatives capable of improving international air connectivity.
Following deliberations, the Senate called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to renegotiate the bilateral agreement with China and secure reciprocal operating rights for Nigerian airlines.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic discussions with Chinese authorities on easing business visa requirements for Nigerian traders and ensuring fair allocation of airport slots.
The lawmakers said the proposed measures would strengthen bilateral trade, improve travel opportunities and enable Nigerian airlines to benefit more fully from the country’s growing economic relationship with China.