The Federal Government has inaugurated a seven-member National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Steering Committee as part of efforts to accelerate the decarbonisation of Nigeria’s aviation sector and position the country at the forefront of green aviation development in Africa.
The committee was inaugurated on Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, during the launch of Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union (EU) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The event also featured the presentation of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study and the launch of the ICAO-supported Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study.
Speaking at the inauguration on behalf of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Mr Mohammed Ahmed Tijani, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to develop a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation industry.
He stated that the steering committee would serve as the national governance platform for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel programme by providing strategic direction, coordinating implementation efforts, promoting collaboration among stakeholders and overseeing the execution of the country’s implementation plan.
The minister noted that the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel offers Nigeria an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions from aviation while attracting investment, creating employment, strengthening energy security and stimulating growth across the agriculture, energy and industrial sectors.
He also urged members of the committee to discharge their responsibilities with commitment and innovation in pursuit of the country’s environmental and economic objectives.
Also speaking, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the inauguration as a significant step in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, signalling the transition from policy planning to practical implementation.
He explained that the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study, developed under ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Programme with funding from the European Union and technical support from EASA, provides the technical and economic basis for harnessing Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources for commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.
Najomo reaffirmed the commitment of the NCAA to coordinate stakeholders and drive the implementation of the programme in its capacity as the secretariat of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee.
He also acknowledged the support of Nigeria’s international partners, particularly the European Union, EASA and ICAO, for their continued collaboration in advancing the country’s sustainable aviation agenda.
