Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Single African Air Transport Market

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has restated the country’s strong support for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing that improved air connectivity is essential to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.

Speaking on the sidelines of the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo, Keyamo said Nigeria would continue to partner with fellow African nations and regional aviation institutions to promote policies and investments that strengthen air transport infrastructure and enable the seamless movement of people and goods across Africa. The remarks were contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.

Keyamo also led a high-level Nigerian delegation to formally welcome former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the convention. Moshood noted that Obasanjo’s presence underscored his enduring commitment to Africa’s economic integration and the growth of the aviation sector as a driver of trade, tourism and development.

The convention brought together key aviation policymakers, regulators and industry leaders, including Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and other prominent stakeholders.

Nigeria’s delegation included Mrs. Adefunke Adeyemi, attending in her capacity as Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission; Captain Juan “Boyo” Olubodun, SAATM Ambassador for the Western Region; and Captain Chris Najomo, Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, among others.

The African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 features high-level dialogues, technical sessions and bilateral meetings designed to accelerate the transformation of Africa’s aviation ecosystem into a globally competitive and fully integrated network, the statement added.