NANTA Applauds Minister Keyamo’s Equity Drive, Calls for Firmer Regulations

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has expressed its support for the initiatives of Mr. Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, particularly his focus on equity and capacity development for indigenous airlines. Speaking in Lagos over the weekend, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, commended the minister’s efforts to create a fairer aviation industry while urging for stronger regulatory measures in the downstream sector.

Folami highlighted that Keyamo’s emphasis on equity and local capacity development resonates with the association’s vision for a more inclusive and robust aviation sector. “Any administration that focuses on equity is a very sensible one. We are all entitled to equity,” he remarked. He further noted that the minister’s commitment to fostering growth for Nigerian carriers has earned the association’s full support. “We will support him in every way to achieve that because any administration that is focused on the development of local capacity is fair and will always get our approval and support,” Folami added.

However, NANTA emphasized the need for firmer regulations in the downstream sector to ensure a balanced relationship between travel agencies and airlines. Folami called on the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to implement regulatory measures that promote equity and efficiency. “Equity in terms of regulatory balancing between the travel agencies and the airlines is crucial. There has to be that balancing, and I am sure that we will get it because the NCAA is getting more responsive,” he stated.

Reflecting on the performance of the travel sector in early 2025, Folami acknowledged that business has been slow but expressed optimism for improvement in the coming months. He projected that the sector would pick up pace by April or May, citing relative stability despite the challenges. “The stability might not be like the previous three to four years, but we have had some levels of stability in the sector,” he noted.

Folami also stressed the importance of collaboration and subsidies to navigate the current economic challenges in Nigeria. “We are at a stage in Nigeria now where we all have to focus on two things – collaboration and subsidy. It’s a responsibility for everybody to make sure that they are all successful and we pull ourselves through the challenging time in Nigeria,” he concluded.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve under Minister Keyamo’s leadership, NANTA’s call for stronger regulations and collaborative efforts underscores the need for a unified approach to overcoming challenges and driving growth in Nigeria’s travel sector.