By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Nigeria has launched a high-level Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme aimed at decarbonising the country’s aviation sector and positioning it as a leading SAF production hub in Africa.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja with the inauguration of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee, the presentation of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study and the commencement of an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-supported Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study.
The landmark event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, was organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with ICAO, the European Union (EU) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Inaugurating the steering committee, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, described the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation sector.
Represented by the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Ahmed Tijjani Abdullahi, the minister said aviation remained a critical driver of economic growth, regional integration, trade and tourism, but must also contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Keyamo identified SAF as a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to decarbonise aviation while attracting investment, creating jobs, strengthening energy security and unlocking value across the country’s agricultural, energy and industrial sectors.
He said Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources, including its position as one of the world’s largest cassava producers, agricultural and agro-industrial residues, expanding refining capacity, growing technical expertise and strategic geographical location placed the country in a strong position to become a major producer and supplier of SAF in Africa.
The minister assured prospective investors of the Federal Government’s continued policy support, enabling regulatory framework and investment-friendly incentives to facilitate the development of Nigeria’s emerging SAF value chain.
He said the newly inaugurated committee would provide strategic direction, strengthen inter-agency coordination and oversee the implementation of the National
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Implementation Programme.
Keyamo also described the ICAO-supported Business Implementation Study as the next critical phase in the initiative, saying it would identify commercially viable investment opportunities and support the development of bankable SAF projects capable of attracting both domestic and international investment.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ICAO’s environmental objectives, national climate commitments and the long-term vision of making the country Africa’s leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel production hub.
Earlier, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, described the event as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, stressing that the country had moved from planning to implementation.
Najomo said the National SAF Feasibility Study, developed under ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Programme, with support from the European Union and technical assistance from EASA, provided an evidence-based foundation for converting Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources into commercially viable SAF production.
He reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to coordinating stakeholders and facilitating the successful implementation of the programme in its capacity as Nigeria’s civil aviation regulator and Secretariat.
The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of ICAO, the European Union, the Ministries of Innovation, Science and Technology; Agriculture and Food Security; and Petroleum Resources, as well as the National Council on Climate Change and NNPC New Energy Limited.
The speakers stressed the importance of strong multi-sectoral collaboration in building a viable and sustainable aviation fuel industry in Nigeria.
With the inauguration of the steering committee and the commencement of the Business Implementation Study, Nigeria has entered a new phase in the development of a national SAF ecosystem expected to support economic diversification, strengthen energy security, attract investment, create employment and contribute to global aviation climate goals.
The meeting ended with renewed commitments by the Federal Government, industry stakeholders and international partners to accelerate implementation of the SAF programme and deepen strategic partnerships aimed at making Nigeria a regional leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.