On Wednesday, the House of Representatives called on the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to suspend issuing airstrip licences to private individuals and organisations.
News About Nigeria reports that they also urged the ministry to revoke previously granted licences, including one approved for Living Faith Church, as a national security precaution.
The call followed an urgent motion presented by Rep. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, who cited concerns that privately operated airstrips could pose security risks.
According to Gumi, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo recently approved an airstrip for Living Faith Church at Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.
Church founder Bishop David Oyedepo announced the development to his congregation earlier in October.
Gumi referenced past incidents, including a 2014 case where a religious leader’s private jet was linked to the transport of $9.3 million in cash to South Africa, allegedly for arms procurement.
He also noted that Nigeria’s existing security challenges—such as illegal arms smuggling, hard drug imports, and the spread of insurgent activities—could worsen if private airstrips facilitate unregulated entries.
The House stressed that private airstrips could enable unauthorised imports, potentially fueling violence, kidnappings, and other criminal activities affecting national stability.
“Recall that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms. The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board (Sahara Reporters, 16th September 2014);
“The country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the Country;
“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country,” Gumi said.
The House instructed its Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to follow up on the motion, ensuring that the Ministry of Aviation acts in line with their resolution.
