The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, has said that Nigeria’s ambition to become a major aviation hub will not be achieved by airport infrastructure alone, but through a combination of strong domestic airlines, supportive policies, and a competitive operating environment.
Speaking at the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ART) Q1 Business Breakfast Meeting themed “Boosting Aviation Sector Contribution to Nigeria’s GDP: The Importance of An Aviation Hub,” Sanusi commended the leadership of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), led by Olubunmi Kuku, for articulating a clear vision for airport transformation and hub development.
Sanusi stressed that while modern airport infrastructure is vital, the foundation of a successful hub lies in having strong home-based carriers. Citing examples from other regions, including the model of Ethiopian Airlines and Europe’s airline-driven hubs, he argued that viable national carriers — not government-run airlines — are critical to achieving Nigeria’s aviation goals.
He cautioned against direct government involvement in airline operations, instead advocating for enabling policies that empower private carriers to serve as flag carriers. “Government should not run airlines but create the right environment for strong local carriers to thrive,” he said.
Sanusi also called for urgent reforms to address multiple taxation, foreign exchange constraints, and high operating costs, noting that excessive charges stifle airline growth. He emphasized the need for modern air navigation infrastructure, including the adoption of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support greener flight operations.
On infrastructure, he highlighted the importance of seamless passenger and baggage transit, efficient cargo handling, and competitive operating frameworks to attract international traffic. He further stressed the need for investment in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and modern training centers, lamenting that expensive training equipment in the country has often been left unused.
Sanusi concluded that building a successful aviation hub requires deliberate policies, strong airlines, modern systems, and sustained investment across the aviation ecosystem.
