Wike backs Nigeria’s first international airshow, declines ₦5bn support request
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind the forthcoming Nigeria International Airshow scheduled to hold in Abuja between December 2 and 4, 2025, but firmly rejected a ₦5 billion financial support request from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Speaking when he received the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, Wike commended the initiative as a landmark event that would project Abuja and Nigeria on the global aviation map.
He, however, said the FCT Administration would not provide cash support for the event.
“Let me say that FCTA will be interested to partner with you and have an official opening speech that day to officially endorse this show, which is a very, very major show in Abuja.
“Also, I would not agree, I would not give any one naira. How can you say we should give you ₦5 billion? Where would it come from? You’re already looking for supporting you in this, supporting you in that. So that is not to be discussed at all.” Wike stated.
Wike assured that the FCT Administration would support the success of the airshow through collaboration and provision of logistics, but insisted that the organisers must bear some costs for publicity and advertising.
“We will also approve for you to use the billboard but something has to be done. Everything cannot be free, free, free. That’s the problem Nigeria has. You want to advertise to the entire world but you don’t want to pay,” he said.
He directed relevant FCTA departments and agencies to liaise with the Aviation Ministry to ensure seamless organisation of the event.
“You will have to liaise with the Transport Secretariat as it requires the train support, as it requires the CNG buses. The Mandate Secretary is here,” he said, adding that the Director in charge of Aso Radio and other communication channels would also work with the ministry to provide publicity support.
The FCT Minister further disclosed that security and sanitation around the airport and major access routes would be handled by the Administration in preparation for the global event.
“Of course, I will also inform the Coordinator of STDD. I just returned the file now of the sanitation along the airport road. So whether you are doing something or not, it’s our responsibility to clean up the city. So that is not a problem,” he said.
Wike noted that the FCTA had already invested heavily in infrastructure along the airport corridor and urged the Aviation Ministry to appreciate the Administration’s contributions.
“You can see what we’ve done for you. Look at the airport road down to your gate, where you’re collecting the due, we did do that road,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, briefed Wike on the significance of the forthcoming event, describing it as the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history.
“This will be a major global event. Around the world, airshows are key fixtures on national aviation calendars, we have the Farnborough Airshow, the Paris Airshow, and we’ll be going to the Dubai Airshow in the next two or three weeks. It’s a regular event across countries, but we have never had one in our history since Nigeria began receiving aircraft,” he said.
Keyamo explained that the airshow coincides with the 100th anniversary of aviation in Nigeria, marking a century since the first aircraft landed in the country in 1925.
“As part of that centenary celebration, we are partnering with a private company to drive this initiative, which is massively supported and aided by the Nigerian Air Force,” he said.
The Aviation Minister said international aviation giants and investors from around the world would participate in the event, which he described as a major opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem and investment potential.
“As a global event, we have international companies and major aviation powerhouses from around the world coming to Nigeria to display their innovations and interact with us within our aviation ecosystem,” he said.
He appealed for the FCT’s full collaboration in logistics, publicity, security, and tourism promotion.
“We therefore request your support in hosting this event. Our first request is that, as the chief host, you are present at the official opening ceremony to welcome all delegates to the city. Hopefully, Mr. President will also attend,” Keyamo said.
He also requested the use of FCTA buses, trains, and fire trucks, as well as the deployment of joint security teams for the event.
“We ask for your support in providing logistics for these personnel and in making available FCT fire trucks for the duration of the event. Safety will be a top priority,” he added.
The Nigeria International Airshow, according to the Aviation Ministry, is expected to attract global industry leaders, investors, and dignitaries, creating opportunities for tourism, business partnerships, and economic development within the Federal Capital Territory.
