Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, expressed his commitment to his role by emphasizing that he would rather terminate the appointments of chief executives of aviation agencies under his ministry than lose his own job. Keyamo made this declaration during a stakeholders' meeting in Lagos, marking the first of its kind since he assumed office.
He revealed that ministers in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government had signed a performance bond, obligating them to deliver results. Keyamo appealed to aviation industry stakeholders for their support to safeguard his position, adding, "On this side, it is either I get sacked or they get sacked. So, it is a race to who will survive. That’s what I have told all my CEOs, somebody must die first but before I die, I will take you down."
During the meeting, Keyamo solicited input from industry experts and emphasized the importance of collaboration to enhance the aviation sector. He connected the industry's efforts to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's three-year economic revival plan, focusing on socio-economic challenges, economic growth, job creation, prosperity, and poverty reduction.
Keyamo also highlighted his ministry's activities since assuming office, which included airport inspections, the relocation of foreign airlines to a new terminal, and the receipt of land for the construction of a second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He assured stakeholders that their input and concerns would be addressed in the pursuit of advancing the aviation industry and contributing to Nigeria's economic development.
