President, Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI),Ademola Onitiju has called for sweeping policy reforms, reduced taxes and increased private sector investment to reposition the sector as a major driver of economic growth and a regional hub in West Africa.
Onitiju, made the call at the group’s first quarter Business Breakfast Meeting in Lagos. The session brought together industry leaders to examine how aviation can contribute more significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Onitiju said while the sector currently contributes between $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy and supports over 216,000 jobs, its full potential remains constrained by infrastructure gaps, high operating costs and policy inefficiencies.
He stressed the need for a more business-friendly environment, including lower taxes and tariffs, transparent regulations, and access to financing such as soft loans to stimulate growth across aviation-related industries. He also reiterated the importance of public-private partnerships as a sustainable model for developing critical airport infrastructure.
According to him, ongoing plans to upgrade the Murtala Muhammed International Airport present an opportunity to deliver a modern facility capable of handling up to 30 million passengers annually and connecting more than 100 global destinations through over 50 airlines.
Industry data cited at the meeting show that aviation activity in Nigeria is largely concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, accounting for more than 70 percent of the sector’s economic output, despite annual passenger traffic exceeding 16 million domestic and 3.5 million international travellers.
Onitiju also highlighted the role of aviation-linked tourism, which contributes over $450 million to the economy, while urging stakeholders to adopt global best practices, including open skies policies, sustainable aviation fuels and environmentally friendly airport designs.
He noted that the forum was designed as a platform for policy advocacy and collaboration, expressing optimism that coordinated reforms and stronger industry participation would position Nigeria’s aviation sector as a competitive hub and a catalyst for broader economic development.
