Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Orders Ban on VIP Landings at Non-International Airports, Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has mandated the cessation of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) landing international flights at non-international airports due to allegations of smuggling arms, humans, and cash into Nigeria.

The directive, which prohibits international flight operations through non-international airports, was issued to prevent VIPs from bypassing Immigration and Customs inspections. “Many VIPs have devised a way of asking for last-minute permissions to land at local airports, even claiming they have made arrangements for a Customs or Immigration officer to clear them on arrival,” disclosed a source familiar with the situation.

The source further explained that there is a suspicion that some VIPs are using these non-international airports to smuggle cash, goods, arms, and possibly human beings, evading the scrutiny at designated international airports. “This has been going on for a while and nobody has called them to order. The minister has decided to act decisively,” the source added.

A circular dated July 17, 2024, from the Directorate of Air Traffic Services of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), confirmed the ministerial directive. Signed by S.E. Inegbedion, Deputy General Manager of NAMA, the circular instructed all stations that no international flight operations should be conducted through non-international airports starting immediately.

Furthermore, the directive mandates that all international flights at general aviation terminals (GAT) and other private terminals at international airports must undergo clearances and checks at international terminals, except for those exempted by the National Security Adviser (NSA). Inegbedion emphasized that compliance with the directive is “compulsory” and any violation will result in “appropriate sanctions.”