The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Monday, officially inaugurated Enugu Air, a state-owned commercial airline established by the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. The airline kicks off operations with three Embraer jets and is poised to become a game-changer in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Keyamo hailed Governor Mbah’s relentless pursuit of the project, describing him as “an incredible, performing governor” and admitting that, given his pace of delivery, “he will be hard to defeat in 2027.”
“Governor Peter Mbah was the first governor that visited me immediately I was sworn in as a Minister. I said this man will not even allow me to settle down first,” Keyamo recounted.
“He was relentless, persistent, and pushing. He came to Abuja almost every week to press buttons and ensure things happened — and this (Enugu Air) is just one of them.”
The Minister also praised the choice of XEJet as technical partner, describing it as “a 100 per cent Nigerian-owned, highly competent operator” with a proven track record, including managing Sierra Leone’s national airline.
“XEJet is not only supporting Enugu Air, it is running the Sierra Leonean National Airline. That is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about,” he said.
On the issue of concessioning the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Keyamo dismissed public concerns and lauded Mbah’s efforts to fast-track private sector investments into the airport.
“He came back and said, ‘I want to attract private sector investment into Enugu Airport. I won’t wait for bureaucracy.’ I told him to finish Enugu Air first, but he was already thinking five steps ahead. In a few months or years, Enugu Airport will not be what it is today,” he stated.
The Minister further revealed that Enugu Airport would be approved for regional operations to other African states, pending a formal request from the state.
Keyamo, despite belonging to a different political party, openly admired Mbah’s performance:
“Dr. Peter Mbah, you are in the PDP, but we are afraid of you. The way you are going, we don’t know how to draw a scheme to defeat you. You have a progressive spirit. You are one of the best performing governors,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Mbah described the launch as “a triumph of vision and a testament to Nigeria’s immense aviation potential and economic renaissance.”
“We are starting with three Embraer aircraft—efficient, elegant birds made for our terrain. Our routes begin with a powerful golden triangle: Enugu to Abuja to Lagos. Then to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other cities,” he explained.
According to him, Enugu Air is more than a state airline — it is a tool for economic transformation, designed to create jobs, open up markets, ease diaspora return, and attract investment into the state.
“In the next phase, we will fly beyond Nigeria—to other African countries, China, Europe, UK, US, and global business hubs,” he revealed.
Mbah thanked President Bola Tinubu, Minister Keyamo, Fidelity Bank, and aviation agencies for their vital support in realizing the airline project.
Also speaking at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor, affirmed that the airline would deliver on its promises.
Fidelity Bank Managing Director, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, and XEJet CEO, Engr. Ayuba Emmanuel, praised Mbah’s visionary leadership and pledged continued partnership.
The colourful event drew a massive crowd and was attended by top dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu.
