Nigeria, on Monday, July 20, 2026, at International Conference Centre in Abuja, launched Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme to spearhead the decarbonisation of Nigeria’s aviation sector, thereby leading Africa’s Green Aviation Drive.
Against this background, Nigeria inaugurated the National High-Level SAF Steering Committee, presented the National SAF Feasibility Study, and launched the ICAO-supported SAF Business Implementation Study.
Inaugurating the seven-man steering committee at high-level event 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 Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), noted that the committee will function as a national governance platform, providing strategic direction, coordinating implementation efforts, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and overseeing the delivery of Nigeria’s SAF Implementation Programme.
Mr Keyamo, represented by the Director, Air Transport Management in the Ministry, Mr Mohammed Ahmed Tijani, described the initiative as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s efforts to build a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation industry.
According to him, SAF presents Nigeria with a strategic opportunity to cut carbon emissions while attracting investment, creating jobs, strengthening energy security and unlocking value across the nation’s agriculture, energy and industrial sectors.
Keyamo, therefore, urged members of the committee to approach their assignment with dedication, innovation, and a shared sense of national purpose.
Also speaking, the Director-General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the occasion as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, noting that the country was moving from planning to implementation.
He explained that the 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 evidence-based foundation for converting Nigeria’s abundant feedstock resources into commercially-viable SAF production.
The DGCA, therefore, restated NCAA’s commitment to coordinating stakeholders and driving implementation of the programme as the secretariat of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee to drive the initiative forward in collaboration with all stakeholders.
Capt. Najomo expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s international partners, particularly the European Union, EASA, and the ICAO, for their continued support.