Nigeria moves to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel adoption with new implementation committee
By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) development in Nigeria by pledging policy support, regulatory clarity and an enabling environment to drive implementation, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the country’s aviation sector.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, gave the assurance on Monday during a high-level meeting on the implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Nigeria and the inauguration of the SAF Steering Committee in Abuja.
The meeting featured the presentation of the Nigeria SAF Feasibility Study and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-supported SAF Business Implementation Study, aimed at guiding the country’s transition to sustainable aviation fuel.
Represented by the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Mr Mohammed Tijani, Keyamo said the initiative marked another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a resilient, innovative and environmentally sustainable aviation sector while supporting economic growth and energy security.
He noted that although aviation remained critical to economic growth, trade and connectivity, the sector must also contribute to global efforts to address climate change.
“Sustainable aviation fuel presents one of the most practical and impactful pathways towards achieving this objective. It offers an opportunity not only to decarbonise aviation but also to stimulate industrial development, create jobs, strengthen energy security and promote growth across the agricultural, energy and industrial value chains.”
The minister said Nigeria possessed significant potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel because of its abundant biomass resources, including agricultural residues, as well as its strategic position in Africa.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative and acknowledged the contributions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the European Union (EU), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and members of the technical working group.
Keyamo described the newly inaugurated SAF Steering Committee as the national governance platform that would coordinate the implementation of Nigeria’s sustainable aviation fuel programme and strengthen collaboration among government agencies, industry players, academia, development partners and the private sector.
He added that the implementation roadmap unveiled at the event outlined priority actions, institutional responsibilities and implementation pathways that would guide the country’s transition to sustainable aviation fuel.
The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international carbon reduction goals in aviation, saying the country would continue aligning its aviation sector with global climate and sustainable development objectives.
The DG of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najoma, described sustainable aviation fuel as both an environmental initiative and a strategic economic opportunity capable of driving industrial growth, creating jobs and enhancing energy security.
Najoma said Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources, expanding refining capacity and entrepreneurial workforce provided a strong foundation for developing a viable sustainable aviation fuel industry.
He explained that the feasibility study was conducted under ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity Building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Programme with support from the European Union and EASA, adding that it would provide the evidence base for future investments in the aviation sector.
According to him, the next phase, the Business Implementation Study, would convert the findings into commercially viable projects and support implementation of Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme.
“SAF holds the promise of new industries, new jobs, greater energy security, and a position of leadership for Nigeria in the major African SAF market. The feasibility study being handed over today provides a credible evidence-based foundation upon which the opportunity can be built.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC New Energy Ltd., Mr Haruna Abdurrahman, described the feasibility study as a major milestone that would pave the way for site-specific investment opportunities.
He said the global sustainable aviation fuel market was expected to expand significantly over the coming decades, creating opportunities for Nigeria to diversify its economy, generate employment and support its energy transition.
The DG of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr Omotenioye Majekodunmi, said sustainable aviation fuel aligned with Nigeria’s climate commitments and economic transformation agenda.
She said the council would provide the policy, regulatory and carbon market framework needed to ensure environmental integrity, attract investment and enable Nigeria to compete effectively in international carbon markets.
“Nigeria’s aviation sector stands at a defining moment. As global demand for air travel continues to rise, so does the responsibility to decarbonise one of the world’s most difficult sectors to date.”
”Sustainable aviation fuel is not simply an environmental imperative; it is an economic opportunity. It presents Nigeria with the chance to diversify its economy, monopolise value chains, attract investments, strengthen energy security, and position itself as a regional leader in sustainable aviation.”
“The NCCC is not simply a stakeholder in this agenda. We are one of the world’s great architects.”
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, said the EU had supported Nigeria since 2020 through EASA in implementing international aviation emissions reduction programmes and strengthening capacity for sustainable aviation fuel development.
Mignot said the feasibility study demonstrated Nigeria’s strong potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel locally and urged stakeholders to support implementation of the programme.
He added that sustainable aviation fuel would not only reduce aviation emissions but also create new value chains, promote the circular economy and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global aviation industry.
