The Coalition for Public Sector Reforms and Accountability (COPSRA), has commended Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, for his sweeping reforms that have repositioned the Nigerian aviation sector.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Abubakar Garba, president of the coalition, described Keyamo’s approach to governance as “people-first and purpose-driven”, adding that his focus on staff welfare is already yielding tangible results in agency efficiency and service delivery.
“Since assuming office, the Honourable Minister has redefined what leadership means in the public sector. He came in, studied the system, listened to the people, and went straight to work addressing the most ignored but critical part of the sector—its workforce,” he said.
The civic watchdog group confirmed that staff across agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and others are now experiencing what it described as “a breath of fresh air” due to significant improvements in welfare, training opportunities, and workplace dignity.
“Keyamo’s leadership has led to renewed motivation among workers in the sector. Salaries are being paid promptly, allowances are no longer pending indefinitely, and the working environment is improving. These may seem basic, but they speak volumes owing to decades of neglect and poor leadership in this key sector,” Garba noted.
He credited Keyamo’s legal background and long-standing advocacy for justice and accountability as pivotal to his reform style.
“His training as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is showing. The man understands systems, understands fairness, and he’s applying that legal precision to fix a critical sector of the economy,” Garba said.
COPSRA also praised the Ministry’s renewed commitment to capacity building, with several staff benefiting from refresher courses and international training programmes that had long been suspended.
The group maintained that union relations in the aviation sector have also improved, adding that even passengers are beginning to notice the improvement in service delivery.
“Aviation is a highly technical field. When you train people, you don’t just empower them—you protect the flying public,” Garba noted.
“You can see a shift from combative interactions to collaborative ones. The Minister engages labour with respect, not disdain. That has calmed tensions and made room for progress.
“We’ve had reports from frequent flyers who say airport processes are smoother, staff are more responsive, and terminals feel better managed. That’s the ripple effect of motivated personnel.”
The coalition also lauded President Bola Tinubu for giving Keyamo the support to reform the Nigerian aviation sector.
“What is happening in aviation is proof that with the right leadership, Nigeria’s public sector can work. Keyamo is showing that reform is not just about policies; it’s about people. We’re not surprised by the results and transformation in the aviation sector,” the coalition added.
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