Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has urged Boeing and other investors to report any officials who demand bribes before they can engage in business activities in Nigeria. 

Keyamo made this statement on Wednesday during a meeting with Boeing executives in Seattle, Washington, where he was accompanied by a delegation of leaders from major airlines represented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and other significant stakeholders in the civil aviation sector.

He emphasized, "New investors are welcome in Nigeria. No one will hinder your operations here. If anyone attempts to obstruct your progress by soliciting bribes or any form of gratification, please report them to me, and I will take appropriate action."

"We aim to create an open environment for all to invest in Nigeria."

The minister's delegation was focused on facilitating the acquisition of dry lease aircraft for local airlines and finalizing an aircraft maintenance agreement.

During the discussions, he also reassured that the aircraft leased to domestic airlines will be secure while operating in Nigeria.

“I want you all to see me, here, as the minister, I’m giving a personal guarantee, beyond the compliance with the law, personal guarantee, that I will not tolerate the frustration of any agreement with any lessor based in Nigeria, the aircraft coming to Nigeria,” he said.

“I will give a personal guarantee of safety of these aircraft, and repossession of those aircraft, whether through the judicial process, or through the NCAA, which I supervise, through a judicial process, through an administrative process, and you know, the Cape Town convention says five days, we can be multi-registered, within five days.

“I will make sure we can do it within four days, we can register our aircraft. It’s a personal guarantee. Read my lips, I’m going to do it.”

Additionally, Keyamo expressed his comprehension of the challenges encountered by industry stakeholders. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to expedite the issuance of air operating licenses.

“So, please, I understand the issues, and I want to ensure that these local operators are empowered to do what they have to do. And what we have to do as governments, in terms of regulation, in terms of even the access to licenses now, the air operating licences now, it’s faster, it’s quicker, they will attest to that. So it’s not going to be a long process again to get your licenses out to operate,” the minister said.