In a growing diplomatic row, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a noted entrepreneur and academic, has called on Nigeria to take decisive action against the United Kingdom over its refusal to grant Nigerian airline Air Peace access to Heathrow Airport. The dispute, which has been brewing for months, intensified when Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, lodged a formal complaint with the British government, accusing it of unfair treatment towards the Nigerian airline.
Ekekwe criticized Britain’s longstanding approach towards Nigeria, accusing the UK of hindering the country’s economic progress. “Britain has been playing this game for centuries: they come to you pretending they care about your economic advancement. But any day you show signs, they will throw obstacles,” Ekekwe stated. He pointed out the irony of the UK’s reluctance to allocate slots at Heathrow to Air Peace, despite Nigeria’s efforts to develop its private sector airlines.
The professor drew parallels with the assertive tactics of Nigeria’s former military leader, Sani Abacha, suggesting that a similar approach might be necessary today. He urged the Nigerian government to revoke all landing slots assigned to British Airways in Lagos if the UK continues to deny Air Peace access to Heathrow. “Festus Keyamo: Give them 7 days, and if they do not make the slots available, revoke all the slots in Lagos and Abuja!” Ekekwe exclaimed, expressing frustration over what he described as weak leadership in Nigeria.
The ongoing dispute between Nigeria and the UK over Air Peace’s access to Heathrow underscores the complexities of international aviation agreements and the challenges faced by emerging markets in asserting their interests on the global stage. As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains a critical test of Nigeria’s diplomatic resolve and its commitment to supporting its national carriers.
