Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has commissioned an almost N10 billion state-of-the-art inflight catering facility at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aimed at supplying outbound meals for international flights operating from the airport.
The facility, built by Sky Chef Things Remembered Services, is expected to strengthen local participation in Nigeria’s aviation supply chain and expand opportunities for domestic catering businesses.
Keyamo announced the commissioning in a post, attributing the development to a directive issued by the Federal Government in 2024 requiring all international airlines operating in Nigeria to engage local caterers for meals served on outbound flights.
According to the minister, he reinforced the directive by making it mandatory for international airlines to present contracts signed with local catering companies before their winter or summer flight schedules could be approved.
He said the policy had stimulated growth in the local inflight catering sector, encouraging investment in facilities and services to meet the needs of international airlines.
The commissioning represents a boost for Nigeria’s aviation and hospitality sectors, with the new facility expected to support the provision of inflight meals for international departures from Abuja.
The policy also reflects the government’s effort to increase local content in aviation operations by ensuring that more services previously sourced elsewhere are provided by Nigerian businesses.
By linking approval of international flight schedules to the engagement of local caterers, the ministry has sought to create a more predictable market for domestic providers while encouraging investment in infrastructure and service capacity.
The development is expected to contribute to job creation, business growth and stronger local participation in the aviation industry as Nigeria seeks to deepen the economic benefits of international air travel.
