Fani-Kayode, who served as aviation minister in 2006, made the remarks in response to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo’s criticism of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over the airline’s collapse and the prolonged dispute over workers’ unpaid entitlements.
According to Fani-Kayode, Nigeria Airways had 32 functional aircraft when Obasanjo left office as military head of state in 1979. He claimed that by 1999, the airline had been reduced to one aircraft that was no longer operational.
He attributed the decline to successive management teams and boards, alongside mounting debts and operational failures. He maintained that the decision to liquidate the airline in 2004 followed unsuccessful efforts to rescue it.
Fani-Kayode also recalled that, as aviation minister, he presented a proposal to the Federal Executive Council in 2006 seeking payment of outstanding entitlements to former workers. He said the proposal was rejected, although he supported settling the workers’ claims.
He praised Keyamo for pursuing the outstanding payments, saying former employees had suffered for years while waiting for their benefits.
The exchange has revived debate over responsibility for Nigeria Airways’ collapse and the treatment of its former workers. Fani-Kayode said the administration’s decisions were collective, adding that he would not publicly disclose Atiku’s position during the cabinet debate on pension payments.
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Femi Fani-Kayode has pushed back against criticism of Olusegun Obasanjo over Nigeria Airways’ liquidation, arguing that decades of alleged mismanagement had left the national carrier in ruins before the former president returned to office in 1999. Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has defended former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, arguing that the national carrier...
Key takeaways
- Femi Fani-Kayode has pushed back against criticism of Olusegun Obasanjo over Nigeria Airways’ liquidation, arguing that decades of alleged mismanagement had left the national carrier in ruins before the former president returned to office in 1999.
- Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has defended former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, arguing that the national carrier had already suffered years of alleged mismanagement, corruption and financial decline before Obasanjo returned to civilian rule in 1999.Fani-Kayode, who served as aviation minister in 2006, made the remarks in response to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo’s criticism of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over the airline’s collapse and the prolonged dispute over workers’ unpaid entitlements.According to Fani-Kayode, Nigeria Airways had 32 functional aircraft when Obasanjo left office as military head of state in 1979.
- He claimed that by 1999, the airline had been reduced to one aircraft that was no longer operational.He attributed the decline to successive management teams and boards, alongside mounting debts and operational failures.
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What is this story about?
Femi Fani-Kayode has pushed back against criticism of Olusegun Obasanjo over Nigeria Airways’ liquidation, arguing that decades of alleged mismanagement had left the national carrier in ruins before the former president returned to office in 1999. Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has defended former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, arguing that the national carrier...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 15, 2026
