Nigeria’s Senate rejects a move to revive the suspended Nigeria Air project, with lawmakers saying further attempts to salvage it are unnecessary. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announces the position after debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno during a plenary session, and lawmakers urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to pursue alternative ways of establishing a national carrier.
The debate also focuses on Nigeria’s air links with China. Monguno argues that a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and China has not been implemented in a way that gives Nigerian airlines equal opportunities to obtain approvals for direct flights. He calls on multiple agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Customs Service, to work together to improve implementation. Other lawmakers reiterate that Nigeria still needs a strong, functional national airline capable of competing internationally, while also seeking stronger direct flight arrangements with China.
Across outlets, the core reporting is consistent: Nigeria Air revival is opposed and attention shifts to a new approach for a national carrier alongside pressure for reciprocal flight rights with China. Differing emphasis appears mainly in how each outlet frames the threat to review BASA or the focus on national-carrier needs.
