Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has held a series of high-level diplomatic engagements with foreign envoys and aviation stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen international partnerships and advance the country’s aviation sector.

The minister recently received separate courtesy visits at his office from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt; the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi; and a delegation from Etihad Airways led by Senior Vice President for Aeropolitical, International and Government Affairs, Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali.

During the meeting with the Etihad Airways delegation, discussions focused on the airline’s planned resumption of flight services to Lagos and the possibility of expanding its Nigerian operations to include Abuja as part of its route network.

According to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the engagements reflect the growing confidence of the international community in Nigeria’s aviation industry and underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships that promote investment, connectivity, innovation, and sustainable sectoral growth.

The ministry noted that, under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the aviation sector remains a critical platform for enhancing bilateral relations, attracting investment, improving air connectivity, and creating new opportunities for global collaboration.