The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the investigation into illegal private jet operations in Nigeria has been concluded, and the committee’s report is ready for submission. The minister disclosed this in an exclusive interview on Monday, revealing that the findings uncovered significant breaches within the sector.
The probe, which began in June 2024, was initiated after growing concerns over illicit activities involving private jet operators, including money laundering and drug trafficking. In response, Keyamo set up an eight-member ministerial task force to investigate both the legality of private jet operations and the authenticity of their documentation. The team was mandated to take inventory of all private non-commercial flight (PNCF) holders and air operator certificate (AOC) holders while also examining why illegal charter operations persist despite existing regulations.
Initially given a three-month deadline, the committee later requested two extensions, citing the complexity of the task. According to Keyamo, the investigation was thorough and far-reaching, leading to the discovery of multiple violations within the aviation industry. Some private jet operators found guilty of misconduct were grounded, demonstrating the government’s commitment to enforcing regulatory compliance.
“They [the committee] sought an extension twice, and they have done very extensive work. They are about to submit their report now, but in the course of their work, they uncovered a lot. However, I won’t let the cat out of the bag just yet,” Keyamo said.
The task force was led by Captain Ado Sanusi as Chairman and Captain Roland Iyayi as Vice Chairman, both of whom have extensive experience in the aviation sector. Their work involved not only reviewing operational practices and documentation but also assessing the professional licenses of pilots and crew members to ensure compliance with industry standards.
Keyamo further emphasized that the report will be made public, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency in addressing regulatory violations within the aviation industry. He assured stakeholders that the recommendations from the findings will be implemented to curb illegal activities and enhance aviation security in Nigeria.
“The report is ready. We are working on a convenient date for a formal presentation,” he confirmed.
With the findings now set for official submission, there is growing anticipation over the government’s next steps in tackling illegal private jet operations. Industry experts and aviation regulators will be looking closely at the recommendations and the measures that will be taken to strengthen oversight and ensure compliance in private jet operations across the country.
