Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has affirmed that the license granted to Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, for its airstrip will not be withdrawn.
The House of Representatives had earlier called for the revocation of licenses issued to private individuals and organizations, including the church. Lawmakers argued that granting such privileges could allow private entities to freely enter and exit Nigerian airspace without adequate regulation.
However, Keyamo defended the church, stating that it adhered to all legal requirements and regulations during the application process and paid the necessary fees before the license was approved.
In an interview with Arise News, Keyamo said, “You can’t single out one individual or organization for such treatment when similar rights have been granted to others. On what basis would you revoke their license? The church has not breached any terms of the agreement, and the constitution prohibits discrimination against any Nigerian.”
He explained that the approval process was rigorous, saying, “It took a year to finalize the approval. The law grants the minister the authority to approve, and I ensured all procedures were thoroughly followed before giving my consent.”
Keyamo also clarified concerns about security and international flights. “No private airstrip in Nigeria can be used to fly directly out of the country. All flights must first land at an international airport for proper processing and checks. The same applies to flights entering the country—they must land at an international airport before proceeding to any private airstrip,” he explained.
The Minister’s stance underscores his commitment to fairness and adherence to established protocols while maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation regulations.
