Abuja: The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has pledged the Federal Government’s support toward providing policy direction, regulatory clarity, and an enabling environment required for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives. Keyamo made this commitment during a high-level meeting in Abuja on Monday, which focused on the implementation of SAF in Nigeria and the inauguration of a SAF Steering Committee.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting featured the presentation of the Nigeria SAF Feasibility Study and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-supported SAF Business Implementation Study. Represented by the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Mr. Mohammed Tijani, Keyamo reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, strengthening energy security, and driving economic growth through this initiative.
He emphasized that the initiative marks another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a resilient, innovative, and environmentally sustainable aviation sector. Keyamo highlighted the importance of aviation in economic growth, trade, and connectivity, while also stressing the sector’s role in global climate change efforts. He described sustainable aviation fuel as a practical and impactful pathway to achieving these objectives by decarbonizing aviation, stimulating industrial development, creating jobs, strengthening energy security, and promoting growth across various value chains.
Nigeria, with its abundant biomass resources and strategic position in Africa, possesses significant potential to produce SAF. Keyamo commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative and acknowledged ICAO, the European Union, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and other contributors for their efforts. He described the newly inaugurated committee as a national governance platform designed to coordinate the implementation of Nigeria’s sustainable aviation fuel program and foster collaboration among various stakeholders.
The implementation roadmap unveiled at the event outlines priority actions, institutional responsibilities, and pathways to guide Nigeria’s transition to sustainable aviation fuel. Keyamo also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international carbon reduction goals in aviation, aligning with global climate and sustainable development objectives.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najoma, described SAF as both an environmental initiative and a strategic economic opportunity. Najoma emphasized Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources, expanding refining capacity, and entrepreneurial workforce as strong foundations for developing a viable SAF industry. He highlighted the feasibility study conducted under ICAO assistance as a credible evidence base for future investments in the sector.
The Managing Director of NNPC New Energy Ltd., Mr. Haruna Abdurrahman, characterized the feasibility study as a significant milestone that would pave the way for site-specific investment opportunities. He noted the global SAF market’s projected expansion, which presents Nigeria with opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, and energy transition.
Dr. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), emphasized that sustainable aviation fuel aligns with Nigeria’s climate commitments and economic transformation agenda. Majekodunmi outlined the council’s role in providing the necessary policy, regulatory, and carbon market framework to ensure environmental integrity, attract investment, and enable Nigeria’s competitive participation in international carbon markets.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, stated that the EU had supported Nigeria since 2020 through EASA in implementing aviation emissions reduction programs and developing capacity for sustainable aviation fuel. Mignot urged stakeholders to support the implementation program, highlighting SAF’s potential to reduce emissions, create new value chains, support the circular economy, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global aviation industry.