The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has endorsed the hosting of the first-ever International Airshow by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, slated for December 2-4, 2025.
The minister threw his weight behind the forthcoming event when the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and his delegation paid him a courtesy visit to solicit the administration’s support.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr Festus Keyamo, who led a delegation to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, explained that the airshow is part of activities marking 100 years of aviation in the country.
Keyamo said the ministry decided to formally notify the FCT Minister because Abuja, being the host city, would receive distinguished international guests and corporate delegations.
He therefore sought the support of the FCT Administration in logistics, publicity, security, and tourism promotion to ensure the event’s success.
He requested the use of CNG buses, commuter vehicles, and possibly the FCT train service to convey delegates to the airport venue.
He also sought approval to use billboards across the city, partner with Aso Radio and Aso TV for awareness campaigns, and deploy waste management and emergency services throughout the duration of the event.
He explained that the airshow would be a landmark global event featuring major players in the international aviation industry.
He said countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates host similar shows annually, making it imperative for Nigeria to join the league.
He noted that the Nigerian Air Force is the ministry’s major partner and collaborator in the initiative, adding that the airshow would showcase Nigeria’s aviation growth and open new doors for tourism, trade, and foreign investment.
According to him, “From the first aircraft landing in Nigeria in 1925 till now, this year marks a century of aviation in our country. As part of this centenary celebration, we are partnering with a private company and the Nigerian Air Force to deliver a world-class event that will attract global attention.”
While responding to the request, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, pledged the administration’s full cooperation, describing the initiative as a “very major global event” that would further project Abuja’s image as a tourism and investment hub.
Wike assured that he would personally attend the opening ceremony to endorse the show and directed that relevant FCT departments should collaborate with the aviation ministry to provide necessary support.
He, however, stressed that while the FCT would assist in areas of transport, publicity, sanitation, and security, the organisers must not expect everything to be free.
“Everything cannot be free, free, free; that’s the problem Nigeria has,” he said pointedly.
The minister, however, directed the organisers to liaise with the Transport Secretariat for logistics, DOAS for outdoor advertising, and the Aso Radio/TV management for media promotions, while the Director of Security would coordinate security arrangements.
He also pledged the involvement of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) to ensure environmental cleanliness along the airport corridor before and during the event.
While noting that the FCT had already invested heavily in infrastructure around the airport, including the dualised airport road leading to the airshow venue, Wike reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the Nigeria International Airshow 2025 becomes a landmark success that places Abuja firmly on the global aviation map.