Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has directed all Nigerian airlines to give serving military personnel priority boarding on all flights — ahead of first and business class passengers.
The directive was issued on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholder meeting on preparations for the Centenary Celebration of Aviation in Nigeria and the inaugural Nigerian International Air Show scheduled for December 2–4, 2025.
Keyamo explained that the new policy was a symbolic gesture to honour the sacrifices and dedication of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“This is what is done in other countries, and it is not a bad thing to emulate. It is the least we can do to recognise our serving military personnel,” he said.
A Gesture of Gratitude and National Pride
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ibrahim Kana, said the directive would be promptly transmitted to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for immediate implementation.
He described the initiative as “brilliant and symbolic,” noting that it would serve as a visible expression of national gratitude.
Nigeria’s move mirrors aviation traditions in countries such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe, where active-duty military personnel are routinely allowed to board before other passengers.
In the United States, airlines like Delta, American, and Southwest have long practised this gesture — introduced widely after the September 11 attacks as a morale-boosting tribute to soldiers.
This new policy is a giant step toward reinforcing respect for the armed forces in Nigeria’s civil aviation culture, while also aligning the country’s aviation policies with global standards.
So, do you believe such symbolic gestures can strengthen the relationship between the military and civilians in Nigeria’s evolving democracy?
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