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BREAKING NEWS: After FG Approval, Keyamo Seals Landmark Airbus Deal in France
As part of follow-up efforts to the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic airlines, a delegation from Nigeria’s aviation sector has secured deals with Airbus and other aviation institutions in France.
The delegation, led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, visited France to explore opportunities for collaboration, capacity development, and aircraft acquisition.
Members of the delegation included officials from the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and stakeholders from the public and private aviation sectors, including a seven-man delegation from Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) and 7Star Global Hangar.
The delegation toured Airbus’ narrow-body and wide-body aircraft assembly plants, as well as helicopter assembly facilities in Toulouse and Marseille, where Airbus executives showcased some of the latest jet and helicopter technologies.
The company also expressed interest in expanding investment opportunities in Nigeria and the wider West African aviation market.
During the visit, the minister secured opportunities for IBUAM and other Nigerian institutions to collaborate with Airbus in the areas of student exchange programmes and capacity development.
An understanding was also reached with Airbus to facilitate partnerships and create a platform through which Nigerian airlines could access new aircraft using a sovereign guarantee framework approved by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Recall that Ibom Air had earlier received two aircraft through the current effort, expecting to receive two more brand new aircraft to be delivered to the airline soon.
The Managing Director of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and Airbus for the collaboration.
IBUAM also held discussions with École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC), one of Europe’s leading aerospace universities and a major supplier of technical manpower to Airbus, for a strategic partnership.
Commending the minister, IBUAM founding Chancellor, Isaac Balami, praised the initiative and efforts aimed at repositioning the aviation sector.
“With people like the Honourable Minister in the saddle, we are sure of a better industry,” he said.
Balami University was among the 11 private universities recently approved and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The institution has since commenced academic activities, admitting students from Nigeria and the diaspora into its programmes, even as admission remains open through the Joint Matriculation and Admission Board, JAMB.
Recall that the Federal Government had recently approved the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company to support domestic airlines with access to modern fleets. The approval came during a meeting of the Federal Executive Council. Keyamo had described the initiative as a major shift in how Nigerian carriers will acquire and finance aircraft.
At the end of the working visit, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adamu, while delivering his vote of thanks, commended the Nigerian government for creating opportunities to improve the sector. He also praised Airbus for its willingness to partner with Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Esosa Iyawe, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, following alleged irreconcilable differences between him and the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo.
DAILY POST reports that the federal lawmaker who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, in 2023, defected to the APC on December 5, 2024.
Iyawe has now left the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
In a letter dated May 6, 2026 and addressed to the leadership of the APC in Ward 1, Oredo Local Government Area, attributed his resignation to the irreconcilable differences between him and Okpebholo.
While stating that he would be aligning himself with the NDC, he added that he has withdrawn his expression of interest to contest for the House of Representatives election on the platform of the APC.
The lawmaker stated that his resignation is with immediate effect.
“I write to formally notify you that I hereby withdraw my expression of interest to contest for the position of House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections and to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately.
“This regrettable decision has been made after careful reflection and consideration. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been associated with the party and for the experiences gained during my membership.
“However, due to personal and political reasons, I have decided to withdraw my membership and align myself with another political platform, the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC). I believe this move is in line with my current convictions and aspirations.
“It is imperative to state that this decision is a result of the irreconcilable difference between me and my Governor His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo State.
“I kindly request that my resignation be duly noted in your records and INEC records and that I be relieved of all rights, responsibilities, and obligations associated with membership in the party,” the letter read.
The Labour Party, LP, has reported a surge in the scramble for its nomination and expression of interest forms for various elective offices.
LP spokesperson, Ken Eluma Asogwa, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that several aspirants seeking to contest in the 2027 general elections thronged the party’s National Secretariat to purchase nomination forms.
Among those who purchased forms on Wednesday, according to Asogwa, include Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former First Lady of Ondo State, who vying for the Senate seat for Imo East Senatorial District.
Others are Hassan Mamman Barguwa, seeking the House of Representatives seat for Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in Adamawa State, Dennis Chibuzor Oshai, Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State, Eric Edward, contesting for the State House of Assembly seat for Hong State Constituency in Adamawa State, and Mohammed Hayatu Atiku, vying for the State House of Assembly seat for Uba/Gaya State Constituency in Adamawa State, among other aspirants.
Speaking to journalists after purchasing his forms, Hassan Mamman Barguwa, a former member of the House of Representatives for Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency, commended the process and modalities put in place by the party, describing the exercise as seamless.
He also expressed confidence in the renewed fortunes of the party and assured supporters of the party’s growing strength in Adamawa State and across the North East.
As of the time of filing this report, several aspirants were still at the party’s National Secretariat seeking to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms.
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