The Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has rejected calls to revoke the airstrip license granted to Living Faith Church, widely known as Winners’ Chapel.
Keyamo made his remarks on Sunday during an interview on Arise Television’s program, This Morning.
His statement came after the House of Representatives called for the withdrawal of the church’s airstrip license, alongside other private licenses granted to individuals and organizations. The House argued that such licenses posed a potential threat to national security.
However, Keyamo strongly defended the approval process, stating that the church had not violated any laws or regulations. He emphasized that the airstrip’s approval followed due legal procedures and was in full compliance with Nigeria’s aviation regulations.
“You can’t single out an individual in a country like this when you have given the same right to so many people and say withdraw that particular one,” Keyamo said during the interview.
He continued, arguing that there was no legal basis for withdrawing the license. “On what grounds are we going to revoke it? The people have not breached any terms upon which we gave them the license. If you single them out, the constitution says you should not discriminate against any Nigerian. They are following the rules,” he added.
Keyamo also clarified the regulations surrounding private airstrips in Nigeria. He explained that while private airstrips are allowed, there are strict conditions in place to ensure that they are not used for international flights without first landing at an international airport.
“You cannot take off from any private airstrip in Nigeria and fly outside the country. This is not possible. You must first land at an international airport. You will be well-processed and checked before you fly out. If you are flying in, you must first land at an international airport. You will be processed before you fly to your private airstrip,” Keyamo said.
The airstrip at Winners’ Chapel, located in Ota, Ogun State, has become a subject of intense public debate. Critics have raised concerns that private airstrips may be used for illegal activities, including international flights without proper security checks.
In October, the House of Representatives expressed its concerns about the proliferation of private airstrips across the country. Lawmakers argued that these airstrips could be used for illicit purposes, including the smuggling of goods and people.
But Keyamo insisted that the church had adhered to all legal requirements before the airstrip was approved. He also pointed out that it took him a full year to approve the airstrip due to the thorough checks and processes involved.
“It took me one year to approve that airstrip because we went through so many processes. By law, I said the minister would approve. That is what the law says. And it came to me. I looked at all the processes. I approved,” he explained.
The controversy surrounding the Winners’ Chapel airstrip is part of a larger debate on the regulation of private airstrips in Nigeria. While some argue that these airstrips are necessary for the convenience of individuals and businesses, others believe they could pose a risk to national security.
The House of Representatives’ call for the withdrawal of licenses reflects growing concerns about the lack of regulation in the country’s aviation sector. Critics argue that the government has not done enough to ensure that private airstrips are properly monitored and that they do not become hotspots for illegal activities.
However, Keyamo dismissed these concerns, saying that the government had put in place measures to ensure the security of all private airstrips. He stressed that the approval of the airstrip at Winners’ Chapel followed all legal procedures and was done in accordance with the law.
“There is no room for discrimination here,” Keyamo said. “If other people have been given the same right, why should we take it away from one person? The law is clear, and we followed it.”
