Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said politicians preparing for the 2027 elections are struggling to find private jets to hire for campaign travel. He blamed the shortage on the inability of private airline operators to meet the demand for air travel.
Akpabio made the remark on Tuesday during plenary, while senators debated a motion on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and China. The motion was sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North).
Warning that the situation could get worse during the December festive season, Akpabio said: “Common campaigns, we cannot see even private jets to hire.” He urged the Federal Government to look into the challenges facing airlines.
The Senate President also recalled the days of Nigeria Airways, which he said operated between 32 and 40 aircraft and flew pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. “So, how did we get here?” he asked.
Monguno’s motion asks the Tinubu administration to renegotiate the BASA with China so that Nigerian carriers can operate direct flights to the Asian country. He proposed reciprocity in flight rights, code-sharing, temporary airport fee waivers and a direct naira settlement window under the existing currency swap framework.
He also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open talks with Beijing on business visas and reciprocal airport slots for Nigerian airlines.
Senators adopted the motion by voice vote. They also rejected a proposal to revive the contracts for the failed Nigeria Air project, describing the idea as a waste of time, but resolved that Nigeria needs a national carrier and urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to explore setting one up.
The Senate Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs were mandated to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks.
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