President Tinubu Approves 30 Percent Debt Relief for Airlines Following Record Breaking Aviation Safety Audit

President Tinubu approves 30% debt relief for domestic airlines as Nigeria hits a record 91.45% ICAO safety score, boosting industry stability.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 5:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

Strategic Financial Intervention for Domestic Carriers

President Bola Tinubu has approved a 30 percent reduction in the accumulated statutory debts owed by domestic airline operators to federal aviation agencies. This directive, communicated through Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, is designed to alleviate the severe financial strain placed on the industry by the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel. The relief package specifically targets charges payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, providing a vital cushion for carriers struggling to maintain consistent flight operations.

Aviation Ministry Outlines Industry Stabilization Goals

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, detailed the government’s efforts to stabilize the sector during a recent briefing. According to Keyamo, the intervention followed a high level meeting where airline operators initially sought total debt forgiveness to ensure their continued viability. While the government did not grant a total waiver, the 30 percent relief is intended to balance the financial health of the state aviation agencies with the urgent operational needs of the country’s domestic transport network.

Historic Milestone in Global Safety Compliance

Parallel to these financial reforms, Nigeria has secured its highest ever aviation safety rating during a recent audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The country achieved an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 percent, a figure that places the nation well above the global average of 70.4 percent. The audit, conducted at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority headquarters in Abuja, marks a significant improvement in regulatory oversight and technical compliance with international best practices.