On Sunday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reaffirmed that no private plane in Nigeria, including those owned by high-profile individuals like Bishop David Oyedepo, can leave the country directly from private airstrips without first obtaining clearance from relevant authorities. His comments were made during an appearance on Channels Television’s politics Today.
The statement came in response to growing concerns and calls from the House of Representatives, which, two months earlier, recommended revoking airstrip licenses granted to private individuals and organizations. The lawmakers cited security concerns as the primary reason for their request, which also included a call to halt the issuance of new airstrip licenses.
Keyamo, however, clarified that it is not possible for any plane, including private jets or military aircraft, to depart or arrive in Nigeria from a private airstrip without undergoing the required processes and obtaining the necessary approvals from the appropriate authorities. “You must land in an international airport first. Then the Customs, immigration, and NDLEA will process you before you take off from there to your private airstrip,” he explained.
The minister went on to explain that the process is the same for planes entering Nigeria. “If you are also flying out, you must land at an international airport. You will go through Customs, immigration, and all the normal process before flying out.” He emphasized that the regulatory framework ensures that no private airstrip is used for unauthorized departures or arrivals.
Keyamo’s remarks directly addressed the concerns raised by members of the House of Representatives, who had questioned the security risks posed by private airstrips. Some had feared that individuals with private airstrips might bypass national security checks. “Nobody uses an airstrip for any such purpose without seeking clearance,” Keyamo asserted, highlighting the importance of regulatory oversight in maintaining national security.
When asked specifically about the airstrip owned by Bishop Oyedepo, Keyamo confirmed that it had undergone the same due process as other private airstrips. “Oh yes, absolutely. That’s no problem,” he stated, underscoring that all airstrips, regardless of ownership, are subject to regulatory oversight.
In response to further questions about the total number of airstrips in Nigeria, Keyamo provided an estimate. “We have a number of them, more than 40,” he said. “For the federal airport, we have 23. The state airport has about eight or nine now. And then the airstrips are about 40 or thereabouts. I have been there myself.”
