Nigeria has taken a significant step towards decarbonising its aviation sector and positioning itself as a leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production hub in Africa with the inauguration of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Steering Committee, the presentation of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study, and the launch of the ICAO-supported Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study.
The landmark event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, was organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union (EU) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It brought together senior government officials, development partners, industry leaders, researchers and other key stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s transition towards a sustainable aviation future.
Inaugurating the committee, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, described the event as “another significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards building a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation sector.”
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“The committee membership comprises the following: The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); The Director General of the National Climate Change Council; and the Managing Director of NNPC Energy Limited.
Represented by the Director of Air Transport Management at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is Ahmed Tijjani Abdullahi, the Minister noted that while aviation remains a vital catalyst for economic growth, regional integration, trade and tourism, the sector must also contribute meaningfully to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He identified Sustainable Aviation Fuel as a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to decarbonise aviation while stimulating investment, creating new industries and jobs, strengthening energy security, and unlocking value across the country’s agricultural, energy and industrial sectors.
Highlighting Nigeria’s competitive advantages, the Minister said the country possesses abundant feedstock resources, including its status as one of the world’s largest cassava producers, significant agricultural and agro-industrial residues, expanding refining capacity, growing technical expertise and a strategic geographic location. These advantages, he noted, position Nigeria to become a major producer and supplier of Sustainable Aviation Fuel on the African continent.
The Minister commended ICAO, the European Union, EASA and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for their sustained partnership in supporting Nigeria’s SAF initiative. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Technical Working Groups whose efforts culminated in the successful completion of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to developing a viable SAF industry, the Minister assured prospective investors of continued policy support, an enabling regulatory environment and investment-friendly incentives necessary to develop Nigeria’s emerging Sustainable Aviation Fuel value chain.
The Minister highlighted that the Committee would provide strategic direction, strengthen inter-agency coordination and oversee the implementation of Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Implementation Programme.
He also welcomed the commencement of the ICAO-supported Business Implementation Study, describing it as the next critical phase that will identify commercially viable investment opportunities and support the development of bankable SAF projects capable of attracting domestic and international investment.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ICAO’s environmental objectives and the country’s long-term vision of becoming Africa’s leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel production hub while advancing national climate commitments and supporting the global transition to cleaner aviation.
In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, described the event as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, noting that it marked the country’s transition from planning to implementation.
Captain Najomo noted that the feasibility study, developed under ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Programme with support from the European Union and technical support from EASA, provides the evidence-based foundation for transforming Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources into commercially viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.
He reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment, as Nigeria’s civil aviation regulator and Secretariat of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee, to continue coordinating stakeholders and facilitating the successful implementation of the programme.
The event also featured goodwill messages from Mr. Romain Ekoto, Director of ICAO’s Western and Central African (WACAF) Regional Office; His Excellency Mr. Gautier Mignot, Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria; the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Tochukwu Udeh, SAN; the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, PhD; the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi; and the Managing Director of NNPC New Energy Limited and Chairman of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Technical Working Groups, Engr. Haruna Abdurrahman.
The speakers collectively underscored the importance of strong multi-sectoral collaboration in developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Nigeria.
With the inauguration of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee and the commencement of the Business Implementation Study, Nigeria has entered a new phase in the development of a national Sustainable Aviation Fuel ecosystem that will support economic diversification, strengthen energy security, attract investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to global aviation climate goals.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from the Federal Government, industry stakeholders and international partners to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Implementation Programme and deepen strategic partnerships to realise Nigeria’s vision of becoming a regional leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.
