In 2003, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration liquidated Nigeria Airways, the government-owned national carrier, because it had failed as a business.

However, succeeding administrations and aviation stakeholders feel the country needs a flag carrier to market itself globally.  Based on need, administrations after Obasanjo’s have made efforts to set up a national air carrier.

The history of a national airline began in 1958 with the establishment of defunct Nigeria Airways Ltd. The company was founded by the Federal Government after the dissolution of West African Airways Corporation (WAAC).

It retained the name, WAAC Nigeria, until 1971 when it was rebranded Nigeria Airways, the name it had until it wound up in 2003.

Nigeria owned 51 per cent of shares in the company up to 1961 when it boosted its participation to 100 per cent and made it the national carrier.

At the time of dissolution, the airline’s headquarters was at Airways House in Abuja..

It concentrated operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and engaged in domestic and international operations.

Its international destinations were mainly in West Africa. The airline also had points in Europe, North America and Saudi Arabia.

The airline was managed by a number of foreign companies, including British Airways, the Dutch company, KLM and South African Airways.

Plagued by mismanagement, corruption and overstaffing, the company  had a debt of 528 million dollars and poor safety record at the time of liquidation.

It had one aircraft flying domestic routes and two leased aircraft for  international operations. Nigeria Airways was succeeded by Virgin Nigeria and its ground facilities were taken over by Arik Air, a local private operator.

After assuming office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari set up a committee headed by the current Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Mr Mohammed Abdulsalam, to establish a national carrier.

In August 2018, the proposed carrier was unveiled by the immediate past Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, during the Farnborough International Air Show in London as Nigeria Air.

The unveiling was after the transaction advisers completed the Outline Business Case (OBC) Report and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission reviewing and issuing OBC Certificate of Compliance.





Read more here https://thickmatch.com/still-waiting-national-air-carrier-nigerians-buhari/

Nigeria Air will surely fly irrespective of the obstacles.

Which one be una own naija people nau?

After all that one na another entertainment news from the presidency.

It's very painful when you refuse to believe the reality, you been scammed.