Nigeria's aviation and aerospace minister, Festus Keyamo, has vowed to crack down on illegal private jet operations that have, he says, cost the federal government an estimated NGN120 billion naira (USD77.9 million) in lost revenue over the past decade.
Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja last week, Keyamo warned that his ministry would implement stricter regulations to enforce compliance with aviation laws, Lagos Business News reported.
He claimed that many private jet owners in Nigeria exploit regulatory loopholes and avoid higher aviation fees by registering their aircraft under Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) licences, which are meant for personal use, while using them for commercial purposes. He emphasised that this practice poses serious safety and security risks, as these operations often lack proper documentation, making it difficult for authorities to track passengers or cargo.
Keyamo further claimed that illegal flight charter operations have flourished in the country for more than 50 years.
His comments follow a report released on March 4 by a seven-member committee tasked to investigate illegal charter operations. It recommended the immediate shutdown and reorganisation of Abuja's general aviation terminal after concluding that the vast majority of airport-related criminal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and fugitive transfers, happen there. The report recommended strengthening regulatory oversight, enhancing security, improving compliance with aviation laws, and ensuring that private charter operations align with international standards.
