Nigeria is making strides to decarbonize its aviation sector by shifting to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) as part of a broader national commitment to cleaner energy.
At the 2nd Consultative Stakeholders Engagement on Clean Aviation Fuels in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the government’s goal to develop a roadmap to transition to sustainable fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry.
Represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, Keyamo highlighted the role of SAF in cutting aviation emissions, saying, “Technical analyses show that SAF holds the most significant potential to reduce emissions in international aviation.”
Keyamo added that the Nigerian government is working closely with international bodies, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to fast-track SAF feasibility studies, enhance industry capacity, and foster partnerships between local producers, researchers, and financial partners.
In support of the initiative, Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority will collaborate with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to tackle climate impacts.
The Director-General of NCCC, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, noted that the move towards SAF and LCAF is part of a larger effort to tackle transport sector emissions, a leading contributor to carbon output.
“Transport is one of the highest emitters of carbon,” Maduekwe explained. “With a sustainable aviation roadmap, we can significantly improve our emissions indicators.”
Keyamo also pointed out Nigeria’s potential to develop and produce SAF at scale, which could drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen the national energy sector.
