Nigeria to International Airlines: Use Local Caterers or Face Consequences

Keyamo Vows to Enforce Nigerian Content in Airline Catering

“The foreign aircraft come into Nigeria with passengers; they come with inbound meals. Many, but not all...”

Nigeria's aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, announces that international airlines must use local caterers for outbound flights starting January 2025.

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reaffirmed that international airlines must engage local caterers for their outbound flights starting January 2025. Keyamo's directive, initially issued on October 15, 2024, has sparked ongoing debate.

Keyamo clarified that this policy aims to strengthen Nigeria's aviation sector and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy. By implementing this directive, Nigeria can retain approximately $1 billion annually in revenue from meals provided for international flights.

The Minister emphasized that non-compliant foreign airlines should consider ceasing operations in Nigeria. This move is expected to boost Nigeria's local economy and promote the growth of its aviation sector.

His words, “Every sector of the Nigerian economy and Minister must find a way to contribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's $1 trillion economy target. If you are a minister and you Aviation must contribute to this, that is the present vision we are all supporting.

“The foreign aircraft come into Nigeria with passengers; they come with inbound meals. Many, but not all of them, come with their outbound meals.

“The outbound meals are frozen. When they load passengers for outbound, they serve Nigerian passengers those meals.

“This is close to $1 billion in yearly income. We can't be denying our domestic caterers that advance.

“That is why I said every international airline should make contact with local caterers for outbound meals. Whoever doesn't want to do it should stop flying. Unless they have a contract with our local caterers, we won't approve their flight schedule. From January 2025, they must comply with this directive.”