By ebosele@hotmail.com –
Nigeria has officially launched its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme, marking a major milestone in the country’s drive to decarbonise the aviation sector and position itself at the forefront of Africa’s transition to greener aviation.
City Business News reports that at a high-level event held on Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the Federal Government inaugurated the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Steering Committee, presented the National SAF Feasibility Study, and unveiled the ICAO-supported SAF Business Implementation Study.
The event was 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).
Inaugurating the seven-member steering committee, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), said the committee would serve as the national governance platform for the implementation of Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme.
Represented by the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Tijani, the minister described the initiative as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s quest to build a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation industry.
He said the committee would provide strategic direction, coordinate implementation efforts, promote collaboration among stakeholders and oversee the delivery of the country’s SAF implementation programme.
According to Keyamo, Sustainable Aviation Fuel offers Nigeria a strategic opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions while attracting investment, creating employment opportunities, strengthening energy security and unlocking economic value across the agriculture, energy and industrial sectors.
He urged members of the steering committee to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, innovation and a strong sense of national purpose.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the launch as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, saying the country was now moving from the planning stage to implementation.
Najomo explained that the National SAF Feasibility Study was 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.
According to him, the study provides the evidence-based foundation for transforming Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources into commercially viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.
He reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to coordinating stakeholders and serving as the secretariat of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
The NCAA Director-General also expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s international partners, particularly the ICAO, the European Union and EASA, for their continued technical and financial support in advancing sustainable aviation development in the country.
The launch of the SAF Programme is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s efforts to reduce aviation-related carbon emissions, align the country’s aviation sector with global climate commitments, and create new investment opportunities within the emerging green aviation economy.
