The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has denounced the bidding and approval process of Nigeria Air as “a sham”. In a statement, AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina commended the judiciary for upholding justice and nullifying the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines.
Sarina alleged that the bidding process was designed to undermine Nigerian airlines and hand over the country’s aviation market to Ethiopian Airlines. He praised the court for standing firm against pressure and exonerating AON and other indigenous airlines for seeking to protect Nigeria’s interests.
Sarina also applauded Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo for suspending the Nigeria Air process. A federal high court in Lagos nullified the sale of 49% equity stake in Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines, declaring the sale null and void. The judge halted the government’s plans to establish the national carrier and granted relief to the plaintiffs, including AON and other aviation stakeholders.
The plaintiffs had sought to nullify the bidding and selection process, citing exclusion and a flawed bidding process. The controversy surrounding Nigeria Air’s ownership arrangement, which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49% stake, had sparked concerns among stakeholders. The government had initially unveiled Nigeria Air in 2023, but the project was suspended in August 2023 pending further notice.
