Nigeria has taken a significant step towards decarbonising its aviation sector and positioning itself as a leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production hub in Africa.
The move comes with the inauguration of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Steering Committee, the presentation of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study, and the launch of the ICAO-supported Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study.
The event, which took place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, was organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union (EU), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Inaugurating the committee, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, represented by the Director of Air Transport Management, Ahmed Tijjani Abdullahi, described the initiative as another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a resilient, competitive, and environmentally sustainable aviation sector.
“While aviation remains a key driver of economic growth, trade, and tourism, it must also contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
According to him, Sustainable Aviation Fuel presents a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to decarbonise aviation, attract investment, create jobs, strengthen energy security, and unlock value across the country’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources, large cassava production, expanding refining capacity, technical expertise, and strategic location position the country to become a leading producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Africa.
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He commended ICAO, the European Union, EASA, and the NCAA for their support of the initiative and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing policy support, an enabling regulatory environment, and investment incentives to develop Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry.
“The Steering Committee would provide strategic direction, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and oversee the implementation of the national Sustainable Aviation Fuel programme, while the ICAO-supported Business Implementation Study would identify commercially viable investment opportunities,” he explained.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the event as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, marking the country’s transition from planning to implementation.
“The feasibility study, developed under ICAO’s ACT-SAF Programme with support from the European Union and EASA, provides an evidence-based roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources into commercially viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel production,” he noted.
Capt. Najomo reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to coordinating stakeholders and facilitating the successful implementation of the programme.
Stakeholders at the event emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, investors, and industry players to build a viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel ecosystem.
They expressed confidence that the inauguration of the Steering Committee and the launch of the Business Implementation Study would accelerate investment, promote economic diversification, enhance energy security, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a regional leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel production
