The Senate on Tuesday rejected a proposal to revive contracts associated with the controversial Nigeria Air project, describing further deliberation on the failed initiative as unproductive

The decision was taken during plenary while lawmakers considered a motion on Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement with China.

The motion, sponsored by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, sought a review and enforcement of the Nigeria-China BASA to secure reciprocal access for Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to China. Monguno argued that the existing arrangement had failed to deliver equitable commercial benefits to domestic carriers.

During the debate, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, introduced an additional prayer urging the Federal Government to revive Nigeria Air as a national carrier. The proposal, which was also supported by Senator Khabeeb Mustapha, representing Jigawa South-West, was however rejected following a voice vote.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the resolution, questioned the rationale for reviving a project that had already collapsed. “We can’t revive what is already dead. Did Nigerian Airways ever work?” Akpabio asked, adding that the Senate should not waste time discussing dead issues.

Akpabio, however, maintained that Nigeria still requires a functional national carrier capable of flying the national flag and representing the country on international routes. He urged senators to bring a fresh motion that would enable the Federal Government to establish a new national airline under a transparent and sustainable framework.

Nigeria Air was unveiled in May 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration through a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, but was suspended amid allegations of irregularities in its procurement process. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently prosecuting former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika and others over alleged contract fraud related to the project.

Following the debate, the Senate adopted the main motion and urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to renegotiate the BASA agreement to ensure direct flight operations for Nigerian airlines. The Senate Committees on Aviation and Foreign Affairs were mandated to monitor compliance and report back within four weeks.