The Nigerian government has announced that starting January 2025, international airlines operating in the country must engage local caterers for their outbound flights, or risk having their flight schedules denied approval.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed this during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, emphasizing the directive’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy.
Keyamo first issued this directive on October 15, 2024, sparking debates within the aviation sector. He highlighted that implementing the policy could generate nearly $1 billion annually for the local economy by retaining revenue from meals served on outbound flights.
“Foreign airlines bring inbound meals but often serve frozen outbound meals, denying our domestic caterers substantial income,” Keyamo stated. “This sector must contribute to President Tinubu’s economic goals. Airlines unwilling to comply can stop flying to Nigeria.”
The Minister insisted that only airlines contracting with local caterers will have their schedules approved, reiterating the policy’s deadline in January 2025.
The move is part of broader efforts to bolster Nigeria’s aviation sector and reduce foreign exchange outflows, reinforcing the government’s commitment to economic growth through localized partnerships.
