By Dickson Omobola
Former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Capt Samuel Culcrick, has urged domestic airlines to strategically leverage the recent wave of sub-national investments in the aviation sector as a catalyst for growth.
Culcrick said if these opportunities were properly harnessed, they could serve as a long-term strategic pathway for dry leasing and reduce dependence on expensive, foreign-dominated wet-leased aircraft. He stated that emerging carriers such as Cally Air and Enugu Air stand to benefit directly by tapping into these state-sponsored resources, thereby positioning them for long-term growth and operational sustainability.
His words: “I see it differently as new opportunities happening in front of our eyes in the aviation industry. I’d rather not mock it, but welcome it. I am referring to the new wave of sub-national investments in Nigeria’s aviation sector (mostly aircraft acquisitions and building airports).
“The sector needs to begin aligning these unorthodox investments as a strategic, long-term goal of dry leasing, which can revolutionise local air travel as they will reduce dependence on expensive, foreign-dominated wet leases.
“These investments can facilitate direct, cost-effective aircraft acquisition for our local airlines, such as Cally Air, Enugu Air, etc, by leveraging the cost-effective state-sponsored aircraft acquisitions.”
The aviation expert statement comes as several state governments are deepening efforts to boost their aviation profiles through airport construction, upgrades and aircraft acquisitions.
Following the footsteps of Ibom Air, launched in 2019 by Akwa Ibom State, Enugu Air by Enugu State government was launched in 2025.
Until it is able to secure an Air Operator’s Certificate, APC, the state-owned airline is being operated in partnership with XEJet Airlines to position Enugu as a future aviation hub.
On October 7, 2025, Bayelsa State government disclosed that it had procured two aircraft to commence commercial flight operations at the state’s airport.
On October 26, 2025, Governor Douye Diri also flew one of the state’s two newly acquired ATR 72-600 aircraft from Abuja to the state’s airport at Amassoma, near Yenagoa.
The aircraft, acquired by Pioneer Airlines and bankrolled by Premium Trust Bank for the state, was said to operate mainly on Lagos and Abuja routes.
Also, on December 31, 2025, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State disclosed that the state had procured three new aircraft as part of plans to launch Ebonyi Air, a proposed airline.
Nwifuru also said the proposed Ebonyi Air would reduce travel time and costs, encourage private sector participation and position the state as a competitive destination for economic activities.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company, Mr Bismarck Rewane, recently urged state governments to jettison the idea of setting up airlines, saying the profit margins in the aviation industry were small.
Rewane said this at the 29th edition of the annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC, themed: ‘Financing Aviation In Nigeria: Risks, Opportunities and Prospects.’
Rewane said: “In the last eight years, we have had Ibom Air, Cally Air and Enugu Air. A lot of states are trying to invest in aviation, even though aviation, a very difficult industry, is anchored on high quality, with thin profit margins and is highly regulated. It is not exactly the most attractive in the world. Even Ebonyi, which has no airport, is trying to start Ebonyi Air. There is also an Air Taraba.
“State governments should focus on things where they have comparative advantage. Just as Fareed Zakaria said: first, stop doing dumb things. Second, start doing smart things. Finally, start doing modern things.”
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