Nigerians welcome local meals on outbound airlines, commend Aviation Minister over initiative

…as Keyamo clarifies the directive

In spite of divergent opinions by some aviation stakeholders on the plausibility of the directive by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo to foreign airlines to patronise local caterers starting from January 1, 2025, many Nigerians have praised Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo over the initiative.

On X, some Nigerians who were responding to the clarification of the Minister on the directive described the decision as a welcome development which, they said, is capable of boosting the national economy of the country.

They said the meals served by foreign airlines taste stale and need to start doing better and serving good foods. Also, there is a need for patronage of what is produced here in Nigeria and instil confidence in our local industry.

In his clarification,  Minister Festus Keyamo said “This is to clarify that directing foreign airlines on out-bound flights to patronise our local caterers is not the same thing as directing them to serve local dishes. Our local caterers can also prepare continental dishes or anyone for that matter ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN SPECIFICATION. The age-long practice of bringing their meals frozen from their different countries and then warming and serving them on their outbound flights to mostly our own citizens is no longer acceptable.

“We also have quality control agencies to supervise the hygienic nature of those meals, if that is their concern. On the flip side, if they want us to trust the quality of the food they bring into our country to serve our own citizens, then they also should trust our own process of vetting those meals made by our local caterers.

“The bottom line is that we must support our local businesses with our huge population and traffic, but other caterers from other climes should not benefit from what should essentially be to the benefit of our local economy.”

Here are some of the reactions of many Nigerians to the clarification of the Minister, Keyamo:

Yemi of Lagos: These was served on a flight from the United States to Lagos, the jollof rice isn’t it at all and the beans too tastes stale , sincerely all airlines coming to Nigeria need to start doing better and serving good foods.

@EmmyPromise71: Hon. Minister Festus Keyamo, I completely agree with this clarification, sir. Supporting our local caterers not only boosts our economy but also instills confidence in the quality of what we produce locally.

It’s high time we prioritize our own businesses and give them the platform to thrive, especially with our population and vast opportunities.

However, I have an important question. While enforcing this policy for outbound airlines, will there be monitoring to ensure these local caterers maintain the highest standards of hygiene and food safety, Sir?

We need to ensure that the meals offered truly reflect quality and excellence, especially since they represent our nation on these flights!

@FolagbadeI: You are doing quite well hon minister. More work for our people.

@IsaacNyianshima: Festus Keyamo has surpassed my expectations. I only knew him as someone who speaks from both sides of his mouth but in this ministerial position, he has made me actually proud of him.

@PeterAyubaDogo1: God bless my Honourable Minister. Thank you for taking us to the next level. We love you sir.

@ajibaretalks: Clarification: Foreign airlines using local caterers doesn’t mean serving local dishes only. Our caterers can prepare meals to the airlines’ specifications, including continental options. It’s about supporting local businesses while ensuring quality and hygiene standards. #SupportLocal #BoostOurEconomy.

@Ukabi6: The only minister in this regime who seems focused on the job he’s assigned to do. No politics, just focused on his duties and delivering the necessary results. Kudos!

@jidetex: This is muah! I love this your initiation and hopefully total compliance follows suit beginning next year January.

@_kleopatrus1: Weldone Honorable minister,  this is a step in the right direction. @UG_Airlines served us this meal which i assume was sourced from Nigeria because the Jollof rice was so tasty, unlike the rubbish cold food some other international airlines serve onboard.

@Realseancurtis: Seems it’s only Oga Festus and Oga Ojo dey the cabinet doing constructive contribution to the development of their ministries and Nigeria at large. Wish we getting good updates and workings from Atleast half of the team and not just English or disruption of seminars.

@nellvivok: I quit agree with the minister on this, this is what govt should be doing to help her citizens get employment, one caterer contracted by an airline will employ the services of extra hands to help her and she pays them at the end of the day.

@oodusanya02: Well done Mr. Minister . You have truly display your patriotism and that you fully grasp the workings of this ministry . It’s like we have never had a minister in this ministry life span before yours . Thank you and God bless you in all you are doing.

@Koshinspiration: Festus Keyamo, please keep it going like this! I am thanking God that PBAT put you in this team. But pls ensure the supervision team do the right thing! Implementation is always our big problem!

@Omoniyi3024: Creating jobs and opportunity for our home-grown caterers, good job to the minister. I wish other ministers can borrow a leave from this man or be booted out by the president. Cabinet reshuffle is long overdue @NGRPresident .

This is a golden opportunity that deserves all support of Nigerians, particularly aviation workers and stakeholders. The positive reactions of Nigerians are enough tonic the industry needs to make the directive plausible.