Connecting Underserved Northern Nigeria

As the Nigerian population grows at an exponential rate, it has become imperative to connect the hitherto underserved destinations in Northern Nigeria, writes Ugo Aliogo

Over the years, northern Nigeria has been underserved in air transportation. The first airport in Nigeria, Kano has remained destination of choice for decades but the plan to extend flights to other cities, even with good airports, has been difficult due to low load factor and low capacity in terms of aircraft fleet owned by the airlines.

But recently, there have been more economic activities in northern Nigeria, which is a beckon to Nigeria’s advancement in agriculture and related industries. Also, there are a growing number of entrepreneurs in many parts of the north who needed quicker gateway to and from different cities in the region. This has made air travel imperative in the region, but existing airlines have not seen the market there until the recent venture by United Nigeria Airlines.

Northern Adventure

When the Chairman and Managing Director of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, visited the Sokoto and Kano airports last week on inaugural flights, the feel was different from the South. The northerners welcomed and accepted him, not because he is a business man, but they saw him as a partner in progress in the shared economic prosperity of their states. The secret does not lie in his business strategy, but because he is a man with a mission.  

When the United Airline landed in the North, the first point of call was the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, one of the highly revered traditional rulers in Nigeria. The reception was amazing, one benefitting for a prince on his coronation.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, said they were receiving a strong team of stakeholders in developing their community and Nigeria.

He revealed that when United Nigeria Airlines commenced scheduled flight operations in the country about three years ago, he supported and prayed for the chairman.

According to him, “About eight months ago, we started this conversation and today it is an history, a confirmation that we believe in uniting one another. We need to open Sokoto to other airlines. There are challenges, but we will never give up. At the moment we understand that business environment is tough, but we need to see how to help everyone. I pray for safe fight everywhere this airline goes and if there is anyway, we can help the airline to succeed, we will be please to do so.

“United Nigeria airline will continue to fly higher and also unite Nigerians. Cost of aircraft is very high, but I believe the government is doing everything possible to ease it.”

On his part, the Sokoto State governor, Mr. Ahmad Aliyu, lauded the airline for the commencement of the route.

The governor also requested the airline to connect Sokoto and Kano with air link, saying that the two states are very key to business development of the country.

The governor further explained that the airline was the first to commence direct routes from Abuja to Sokoto since he was sworn-in as the governor of the state over six months ago.

The Promise

 The governor promised to provide good business environment for the airline to thrive, maintaining that aviation was a catalyst for economic growth of any nation.

“I want to assure you that my government is well committed to collaborate with individuals and organisations that want to grow the entire state,” he said.

Also, Okonkwo, who expressed delight at the warm reception received by the airline in the state, emphasised that it was the first time both Sultan and a governor would accompany any inaugural flight anywhere in the country.

Okonkwo explained that Sokoto was a very important marketplace for the airline and promised that it would continue to serve it well.

He posited that the airline would live up to its mantra of uniting all Nigerians irrespective of their state in the country.

Okonkwo further assured the state governor that the direct air link request from Sokoto to Kano would start very soon.

When the aircraft landed in Sokoto airport, it was welcomed into the city by water canon salute by the fire service men of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The entire cabinet members of the Sokoto State government were also on hand in the State House to receive the airline’s entourage.

In Kano State, the feeling was the same, from the people, to the traditional ruler and the state government, the commitment to do business with United Nigeria Airline and walk on the path of economic prosperity together was undeniable.

The United Nigeria train stopped at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir said he was confident that the addition of Kano to UNA’s destinations will further help the development of the economy of the state.

He commended Okonkwo for keeping to his promise that the airline would commence Kano operations before the end of the year, saying that it shows he has integrity.

“When Okonkwo came here some months ago, he promised me that he would ensure that United Nigeria begins its Kano operations and today, he has fulfilled that promise. This is how you know someone who has integrity. When you make a promise, you keep it and I am very happy this promise has come to fruition. The tradition of being a commercial center is well known and I hope that with the addition of Kano to the routes, it will be a catalyst for more development. You are assured of my continued support and I hope that there will be flights to link Kano to the South East states where we have a huge population of Igbos. Given the long-standing relationship between Kano and the South East, if a route is open between Kano and the South East, it would further boost economic development in the region and Kano as well,” he said.

Responding to the Emir’s request, Okonkwo expressed his gratitude for the support the palace has given the airline since its inception and promised that there would be flights from Kano to the South East to enable ease of movement for the festive season. The airline currently operates Anambra, Enugu and Owerri routes.

The Genesis

When Okonkwo decided to venture into the airline business with the launch of United Nigeria, his goal was beyond making profit, and doing business like every player in the industry. Okonkwo saw his adventure in the aviation industry more as a calling, than doing business. His goal was to use his airline as a conduit to unite every part of Nigeria; cutting ethnic groups, language, religion, and culture. United Nigeria business strategy is primarily divided into two; unifying every part of Nigeria and revolutionising the aviation industry with cutting edge business strategies. 

Okonkwo is like the medieval knight whose words are his bond, he is not someone who says a thing and goes to sleep. Rather, he lives by what he preaches, therefore this has necessitated the unveiling of scheduled flight operations in from Sokoto to Abuja, Kano to Southeast, and Abuja to Benin. These steps are positive signs not just to expand their business operation of the airline, but also to reaffirm the resolve that uniting every part of Nigeria is integral to the business of the company.

Visit to Benin City

When the airline visited Benin City in Edo State during its inaugural flight operations, an elated Governor Godwin Obaseki, commended United Nigeria for joining seven other airlines to operate direct flights into Benin City airport, maintaining that this would further make the airfares more competitive with arrays of choice for the travelling public.

He recalled that about seven years ago, Benin had only one aircraft operating into the aerodrome, but the State Government’s collaboration with private investors had further increased the airlines to present eight.

The Edo State government has appealed to the federal government to make Benin Airport a 24- hour aerodrome for optimal use.

He said the upgrading of facilities at the airport would further increase the passenger surge, adding that it would also the economic activities of the state would receive a boost.

He explained that plans had reached advanced stage for the Instrument Landing Systems (ILSs) at the airport to be upgraded, assuring that some of them facilities would be installed before the end of this year.

He said: “Let me remind all of us that when I came into office in 2016, there was only one commercial airline flying into Benin. Today, we have the seven airlines coming into Benin and I heard that there is another one that we expecting to start operation soon.

“So, in seven years, we have been able to attract seven new airlines into the marketplace and that has been made possible because of the openness and collaboration with the aviation authorities.

“I recall my meeting with the former Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika and the conversation at that time was that we were ready to collaborate with the federal government to increase the traffic flow into Benin City, Edo State.”

Obaseki further assured of the administration’s commitment to provide top notch security during the yuletide season, saying that the State was the most secured in the entire South-south.

On his part, Okonkwo expressed delight at the launch of flight services from Lagos and Abuja to Benin by the airline, while commending the state governor.

Okonkwo explained that the launch of the flight would enhance competition on the route, stressing that the airline would operate twice daily to the airport.

According to him, “Before we think about the competition, we have to say that we are glad to be here. It is not about the number whether we are ranked number seven or eight. I want to commend the governor who took the initiative to invite us to Benin. This discussion started in Lagos last year.

“The governor has been opened to every meeting. our team has organised with him and today we have fulfilled the first promise which was flying to Benin city. I can tell you that we are encouraged by his commitment, support and persistence.

 “Many people have been talking about attracting investments but it is only by word of mouth, and rhetoric, but the governor has followed his words with action and that is why we commend the governor, not many people understand the importance of air travel to the economic development of the State. Air travel is a catalyst for growth.

 “Consider the volume of traffic and passenger yield coming into Edo State due to the number of aircrafts that comes to the state daily, before it was one airline, it has increased to seven airlines. So, we think they until other state governors understand that the importance of air travel, they will not realise that there is no other way to grow the revenue of their state than through air travel.”