Olisa Agbakoba Legal is Advising Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation on Critical Legal Infrastructure for the Aviation Sector

Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) is advising the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development on the Fly Nigeria Bill and other critical legal frameworks for the aviation sector, including:

1. The Civil Aviation Act with a view to incorporate a strong corporate governance framework
2. Local content
3. Multiple destinations and code-sharing
4. Legal infrastructure for concessions
5. Review of BASAs and other international treaties and obligations on aviation
6. Cape Town Convention Treaty

The Fly Nigeria Bill, which OAL drafted and has advocated for over 15 years, aims to establish a comprehensive Nigerian Aviation Local Content Policy. Modelled after the Fly America Act of 1974, this legislation mirrors the transformative impact of Nigeria’s Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, which generated an N10 trillion local maritime economy.

The Bill mandates that for every government-funded trip, if there is a Nigerian national carrier flying that route whether locally, regionally or internationally, a Nigerian flag carrier must first be patronized before a foreign carrier.

The Fly Nigeria Bill is designed to create an enabling legal and policy environment for indigenous airlines in Nigeria. It seeks to protect and provide market share to Nigerian airlines. It prevents public funds from being transferred to foreign airlines and ensures reinvestment in Nigerian airlines to generate employment, revenue, access to capital, foreign investment, career progression for core professionals and, most importantly, initiate partnerships for codeshare and alliance with Nigerian carriers.

OAL welcomes the unprecedented support shown by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, for the proposed Fly Nigeria Bill. This marks the first time a Federal Minister of Aviation has openly endorsed this crucial legislation.