Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has publicly accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being responsible for the 2004 liquidation of Nigeria Airways and the subsequent prolonged delay in settling its former workers’ entitlements. The accusation, made on a public platform, has ignited a political debate, with former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode expressing his disagreement.
Mr. Keyamo, a prominent figure in the current administration, levelled the charge against the former vice-president, describing his recent criticisms of government policies as hypocritical. The minister highlighted the circumstances surrounding the national carrier’s demise and the long-standing struggle of its former employees to receive their severance packages, directly linking it to the administration in which Mr. Atiku served as Vice President.
The minister’s remarks have drawn a swift reaction, particularly from Femi Fani-Kayode, who previously held the aviation portfolio. Mr. Fani-Kayode publicly stated his disagreement with Keyamo’s assertion that Mr. Atiku singularly bears the blame for the liquidation and its aftermath, suggesting a more nuanced view of the historical events.
The Bitter Legacy of Nigeria Airways
Nigeria Airways, once a symbol of national pride, was liquidated in 2004 under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, where Atiku Abubakar served as Vice President. The airline had for years been plagued by severe financial mismanagement, corruption, an ageing fleet, and accumulating debts, making its operations unsustainable. The decision to liquidate was part of a broader privatisation drive by the Obasanjo government aimed at divesting from loss-making state-owned enterprises.
As Vice President, Mr. Atiku Abubakar was a key architect of the economic reforms during that era and chaired the National Council on Privatisation. While the liquidation was presented as a necessary step to halt further financial haemorrhage, it left thousands of former staff members in limbo, facing years of unpaid salaries and severance benefits. This issue became a significant humanitarian and political concern for over a decade.
The struggle for payment of entitlements persisted long after the airline’s collapse. It was not until October 2018, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, that the federal government approved and commenced the payment of N22.6 billion as outstanding severance packages to the ex-workers. This payment, which came 14 years after the airline’s liquidation, was a belated relief for many who had suffered hardship.
Mr. Keyamo’s current accusation, as reported by Premium Times Nigeria, leverages this historical context. By blaming Atiku Abubakar, a consistent presidential candidate for the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Keyamo aims to draw a parallel between past government decisions and current political criticisms. This strategy is common in Nigerian politics, where historical antecedents are often invoked to discredit opponents or justify present policies.
The disagreement from Mr. Fani-Kayode, despite his current affiliation with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), adds an intriguing layer to the unfolding political discourse. His stance could reflect an understanding of the collective governmental responsibility at the time, or perhaps a different interpretation of Mr. Atiku’s specific role in the liquidation process.
The exchange highlights the enduring sensitivity surrounding the Nigeria Airways liquidation and its profound impact on the nation’s aviation sector and its workforce. As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges and debates over public and private sector roles, historical events like these frequently resurface as flashpoints in the country’s vibrant political landscape.
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