Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused private jet operators of illegally conducting charter operations for over 40 years, depriving the federal government of revenue and posing significant security threats.
Speaking at the 2025 ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, March 13, Keyamo revealed that a task force under his administration uncovered widespread abuse of private jet licenses, resulting in massive financial losses for the country.
“We inherited a serious issue when we took office, and we are determined to address it—the illegal use of private jets for unauthorized charter services. These aircraft have been operating without proper oversight, doing as they please. Beyond that, they are also costing the government substantial revenue,” Keyamo stated.
“When I assumed office, I was advised to ignore this matter because the individuals involved are influential. However, I refused to back down,” he added.
Keyamo estimated that the federal government has lost around ₦100 billion in revenue over the last decade due to these illegal activities.
He explained that private jet owners exploit a loophole by obtaining Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) licenses—intended for personal or corporate use—while secretly using their aircraft for commercial charter services.
“These licenses come with significantly lower fees since they are meant for private purposes, such as transporting company executives, family members, or personal business trips. However, operating commercial flights with paying passengers requires a different, more costly license,” he clarified.
“These private jets are being used for business purposes daily, depriving the government of revenue. Worse still, some apply to fly internationally on charter operations without proper documentation. In many cases, authorities lack a full passenger manifest or details of the cargo being transported, which is a major security risk,” he cautioned.
“At one point, it was even suggested that the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which handles private charter flights, be shut down for a comprehensive security overhaul. While closing the commercial section is not an option, we are reviewing recommendations to implement necessary reforms without disrupting passenger travel,” he added.
“The President has given us full authority to tackle this issue. No matter who is involved, we will ensure the law is upheld,” he affirmed.
