Abuja is set to make history as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged full support for Nigeria’s first-ever International Airshow a landmark event designed to project the capital city onto the global aviation stage.
The Minister made this known on Wednesday when he received the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and his team on a courtesy visit in Abuja. Wike described the forthcoming airshow, scheduled for December 2–4, 2025, as a monumental opportunity to showcase Abuja’s beauty, infrastructure, and readiness for international business and tourism.
“The 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,” Wike said.
He, however, cautioned that while the FCT Administration will provide institutional support, organizers must ensure commercial responsibility and value-driven engagement.
“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,” Wike remarked.
To ensure the city’s full readiness, Wike directed key departments including the Transport Secretariat and Abuja Environmental Protection Board to collaborate with the Aviation Ministry on logistics, mobility, and environmental management.
“You will have to liaise with the Transport Secretariat as it requires train support and CNG buses,” the Minister said. “We’ll also help with publicity through FCT media channels and controlled use of billboards but on commercial terms.”
He assured that the FCTA had already enhanced infrastructure along the airport corridor, adding that the city will be clean, secure, and ready to welcome visitors.
“Look at the airport road down to your gate we did that road,” he said proudly. “We’ll ensure the city is cleaned up and secure before your guests arrive.”
Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the airshow would coincide with a milestone celebration 100 years of aviation in Nigeria, dating back to when the first aircraft landed in 1925.
“This will be a major global event,” Keyamo stated. “Around the world, airshows are key fixtures the Farnborough, the Paris, the Dubai Airshows but Nigeria has never had one in our history.”
Keyamo revealed that the event, to be organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and private investors, would attract top global aviation brands, aircraft manufacturers, and industry players seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s emerging aerospace market.
“As part of that centenary celebration, we are partnering with a private company to drive this initiative, massively supported and aided by the Nigerian Air Force,” he said.
Highlighting Abuja’s strategic role, Keyamo stressed that the success of the event depends heavily on the FCT’s cooperation, given the expected influx of international visitors.
“We expect very distinguished guests heads of global aviation firms, foreign diplomats, and possibly President Bola Tinubu,” Keyamo disclosed. “We need your help with transportation, security, media partnership, waste management, and tourism promotion.”
He further invited the FCTA to participate as an exhibitor at the airshow, offering a complimentary stand to showcase Abuja’s modern infrastructure, investment potential, and tourism appeal.
“We’d like to partner with FCT-owned media outlets and collaborate with the Abuja Tourism Board to promote Abuja’s culture and hospitality,” he added.
The collaboration between the two ministers underscores a shared vision of transforming Abuja into a continental hub for aviation, innovation, and business tourism.
With the FCT’s backing, the Nigeria International Airshow is expected to attract the world’s attention positioning Abuja as Africa’s next destination for aviation excellence and reinforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of making the capital a world-class centre for trade, technology, and investment.
