Senate President Godswill Akpabio has lamented the scarcity of private jets ahead of the 2027 general elections. He spoke during Tuesday’s plenary session. He said politicians preparing for campaign trips are finding it increasingly difficult to charter private jets. The cause is severe capacity shortages among domestic operators.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has struggled for years. The defunct Nigeria Airways once operated over 30 aircraft on international routes. It collapsed in 2003. Private operators filled the gap. But fleet sizes are small. Maintenance costs are high. Foreign exchange scarcity has made spare parts expensive. Many domestic carriers operate ageing aircraft. The result is limited capacity and high charter fees. The problem becomes acute during festive seasons and election cycles. Demand spikes. Supply cannot respond.
Akpabio spoke during a debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno. The motion called on the Tinubu administration to enforce and renegotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement with China. The aim is to enable direct flights by Nigerian carriers.
Highlighting the structural challenges, Akpabio noted that the December holiday rush will compound the supply deficit. “Watch December and the confusion. Even the private airlines cannot handle it. Common campaigns, we cannot see even private jets to hire,” he said. He urged the executive branch to intervene and support domestic operators.
He reflected on the country’s past aviation capability. He questioned how the national fleet had degraded so significantly. He reiterated the need for a functional national carrier to represent Nigeria globally. The motion was referred to the relevant committee. No resolution was passed. The debate continues.
Winners: Domestic charter operators, who gain pricing power. Foreign charter companies, which may fill the gap. Airlines that maintain capacity, which gain premium clients. Losers: Politicians, who cannot secure jets. Campaign teams, whose logistics suffer. The aviation sector, whose decline is exposed. The economy, which loses connectivity. Taxpayers, if a national carrier requires subsidies.
Bottom Line: Politicians cannot find private jets. That is a problem for them. It is a symptom for the country. Nigeria’s aviation sector is small and fragile. A national carrier may help. It may also become another subsidy trap. The debate continues.