Nigeria Marks 100 Years of Aviation, Targets Continental Air Travel Dominance

From the dusty, sun-baked racecourse in Kano where three De Havilland DH 9A aircraft first touched down in 1925, to the bustling modern terminals of today, the Nigerian aviation sector has undergone a metamorphosis of epic proportions. On December 1, 2025, the nation paused to mark a century of flight, a monumental milestone celebrating resilience, altitude, and the audacity to dream.

This centenary celebration, orchestrated by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, is not merely a party for the industry; it is a strategic reflection on a hundred-year odyssey. The event is a vibrant tapestry showcasing the remarkable accomplishments, trials, and evolution of Nigerian skies.

At the helm of this historic commemoration is the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN. His mandate is clear: to illuminate the pivotal moments that have defined Nigeria’s aviation history. 

In a statement released by Tunde Moshood, the minister’s special adviser on media and communications, Keyamo expressed profound pride in the sector’s trajectory—from that solitary, tentative landing a century ago to the country’s current status as a formidable regional aviation hub.

But a sector is built on more than just steel and hydraulics; it is built on people. In an effort to honour the human spirit behind the machines, the centenary will spotlight 40 aviation pioneers. This roll call of legends includes engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers, and administrators whose careers have been the bedrock of the industry. These are the visionaries whose dedication paved the runway for the establishment of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the body that now rigorously oversees safety, efficiency, and global competitiveness.

Travel and Tour World reports that the Ministry of Aviation has made it clear that while we look back, we must build forward. A central theme of the centennial is the tangible investment in infrastructure. Major refurbishments at the international gateways in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano are rewriting the narrative of decay with concrete and glass. These are not just facelifts; they are strategic upgrades designed to create an ecosystem where both local and international carriers can thrive.

Parallel to these physical upgrades, the government is aggressively pursuing the revitalisation of a national airline. The goal is ambitious yet essential: a state-of-the-art airline capable of flying the Nigerian flag across domestic and international routes. Working in concert with this vision, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have been tirelessly upgrading air traffic control systems, ensuring that the “software” of our airspace is as robust as the “hardware” on the ground.

The broader African context inextricably links Nigerian aviation’s future. The Ministry envisions a sector that does not just fly over Africa but connects it. The next century of flight focuses on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). By improving connectivity and fostering collaboration with fellow African nations, Nigeria is positioning itself to dominate the African skies, transforming from a participant into a powerhouse.

This vision extends to the lucrative world of tourism. By capitalising on Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and enhancing air links to key tourist destinations, the sector aims to open the floodgates for international visitors. It is a dual-pronged approach: bolster safety and hospitality to world-class standards, and the world will come.

The Current Landscape: Turbulence and Triumph

While the centenary celebrates history, the current reality of Nigerian aviation is a complex mix of high potential and significant hurdles. Despite recent upgrades, many airports still struggle with outdated technology (like non-functional runway lighting at smaller airports), forcing airlines to limit operations to daylight hours, which kills profitability.

Foreign exchange (Forex) volatility is a significant exposure for the sector. Aviation fuel (Jet A1) is imported and priced in dollars, yet airlines earn revenue in naira. This mismatch has led to skyrocketing ticket prices and the unfortunate collapse of several domestic carriers over the last decade.

The NCAA has received commendation for maintaining safety standards (Nigeria has not had a major commercial plane crash recently), but operators often complain about “multiple taxation” and bureaucratic bottlenecks that stifle growth.

Nigeria is in the middle of its most aggressive aviation modernisation drive since independence. Between 2023 and 2025 alone, five international airports received new terminals or major facelifts, NAMA installed new TRACON radar systems covering the entire country, and the NCAA achieved Category One status retention with the U.S. FAA. The launch of domestic low-cost success stories like Green Africa and United Nigeria, alongside foreign players such as Air Peace flying transatlantic routes, has increased seat capacity by over 40% in five years.

Aviation as the Nervous System of Tourism

Aviation and tourism are Siamese twins; one cannot survive without the other, especially in Africa, where cross-country road and rail networks are often poor or non-existent. Currently, it is often easier to fly from Lagos to London than from Lagos to Dakar. By implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), Nigeria can become a transit hub (similar to what Ethiopia has done with Addis Ababa). This would keep travel revenue within the continent rather than haemorrhaging it to European and Middle Eastern carriers.

Per MICE Tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Abuja is positioning itself as a conference capital. Reliable aviation is critical for this. If delegates cannot fly in easily and safely, they will take their events to Kigali or Cape Town.

Nigeria’s most significant export is culture (Afrobeats, Nollywood, fashion). A robust aviation sector allows for the physical movement of this culture—bringing fans in for festivals like Detty December and allowing artists to tour efficiently.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that for every $1 spent on aviation, significantly more is generated in the wider tourism economy (hotels, restaurants, guides). Improving aviation serves as an economic stimulus package for the entire service sector.

Nigeria marks a century of aviation on Dec 1, 2025. Discover the history from the 1925 Kano landing to today’s modern hubs, the 40 legends being honoured, and the future impact on African tourism.

Intrigued by the evolution of African transport?  Explore Rex Clarke Adventures for our in-depth articles on The Future of African Logistics and daily travel industry updates.

FAQs

1. When and where is the Nigeria Aviation Centenary celebration taking place?

The event is scheduled for December 1, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. It will be held at the African Hall of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

2. What is the significance of the year 1925 in Nigerian aviation history?

1925 marks the birth of aviation in Nigeria, specifically when the first aircraft (a De Havilland DH 9A belonging to the Royal Air Force) landed on a polo ground in Kano.

3. Who is being honoured at the centenary event?

The Ministry of Aviation will honour 40 Legends of Aviation. This list includes pioneer pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the sector over the last 100 years.

4. How does this celebration relate to the “National Carrier” project?

The celebration serves as a launchpad for future visions. The government is using this milestone to reiterate its commitment to launching a state-of-the-art national carrier to serve both domestic and international routes, boosting Nigeria’s global standing.

5. How does the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) affect Nigeria?

SAATM is an initiative to create a single unified air transport market in Africa. For Nigeria, fully implementing this means easier access to other African countries, lower fares for passengers, and the potential for Nigerian airports to become major transit hubs for the continent.