Is no longer news that the UAE based carrier (Emirates) will be suspending all flights to and from Nigerian from September 1, 2022. As usual the news was greeted with mixed reaction from Nigeria citizens, the reactions were not really different from that of 2016 when united airlines pulled out their operations from Nigeria; Some persons were of the opinion that they can go, after all they have be milking Nigerians through their high ticket prices. Some are of the opinion that since they have not flew before and they are not sure of flying anytime soon, the airlines can as well go to hell. Funny, isn’t it?

Six years after we are here again, as a matter of fact this is the third time within the last couple of months that emirates is suspending their Nigeria operations. This recent suspension arising from their inability to repatriate over 85m USD home. (Though CBN have released over 400m USD for the airlines to last week)

Again to tell you how bad the situation is some other foreign airlines (BA, Turkey airlines, Lufthansa, Airfrance etc) are threatening to suspend their Nigeria operations by December except Nigerians will be buying ticket in USD. I even learnt that some airlines have asked traveling agents to stop accepting ticket fare in naira.

CBN said they don’t have have enough forex to exchange with the airlines, so the same issue we had six years ago, we are still having it today. Asking how we got here, will be repeating the obvious. Recently they asked the APC presidential flag bearer what is his take on the exchange rate, his response will explain to you how we got here. He said he does not concern himself with the exchange rate, in as much as salaries are paid in naira he is okay. This is a man that wants to take over from Buhari.

Same question was asked the Labour Party presidential flag bearer and his response will also explain to you how we got here. He said if he is the president he will put a bound on politicians spending dollars during party primaries, he asked the wisdom in politicians having access and spending dollars during party primaries when manufacturers, raw materials importers are finding it difficult to access same forex. You be the judge of that.

This article is not meant to focus on politics but rather on the implications of another airline suspending her operations in Nigeria due to inability to access forex.

1. Loss of jobs: Emirates operates over 15 flights from Abuja and Lagos weekly. It is mostly Nigerians that works in these two airports. For every Nigerian that work there, there are multiple family members that benefits. Suspension of these flights means suspension of jobs.

2. Loss of funds for the aviation sector: For every passenger that buys an air ticket, the Nigeria aviation sector makes money. Now most people will argue that Emirates pulling out means that our local airlines will have more traffic of passengers, while that is partially true, we should also note that most emirates frequent flyers will choose to fly Emirates airline through Ghana than to fly some other airline. How do l know this? First week of July l was in Accra and the driver that picked me from the airport asked me if Emirates have resumed Nigeria operations. I replied him yes, he exclaimed, that no wonder, they were not having many Nigerians flying Emirates again. I asked him how? “He said during emirates flight suspension in Nigeria, most Nigerians were coming to Accra to fly” So again we are transferring our jobs and funds to the Ghanaian economy.

3. Loss of FDI confidence: Nigeria is in serious need of FDI no matter how small, every investor needs a conducive environment before they can invest, and that conducive environment also means having access and been able to repatriate funds whenever they wants to. No investor will want to invest where their funds will be trapped.

So my dear Nigerians, the ball is in your court in 2023. A sick man does not ask the tribe or religion of a qualified doctor before he will allow the doctor to treat him. An unemployed man does not ask the tribe or the religion of the manager of the company, he applies and goes for interview and will do his best to be taken in the job.

Nigeria is sick and we are the ones suffering. In choosing the doctor choose the person you know can cure this sickness no matter his tribe or religion. Put sentiments aside and vote for the future of your children.

God bless you and may God continue to bless Nigeria.

God help us

Well said. Nice on OP especially the on the first and last point. But we don't have a listening government @ present.

The economy is being crumbled by the clueless govt while their chronic are busy mopping up the available Forex via the CBN to sell @ the black market. Now the pending unemployment issue arising from their exit is just another hangover of this disturbing issue

Here we find our nation

We complain too much
Wen last did u pray for your country or the leaders...even if obi enter, he will still fail if u don't lift him up in prayers. Be wise, u are d solution to this nation.