The Federal Government has directed all Nigerian airlines to give serving military personnel priority boarding on all flights, placing them ahead of first and business class passengers.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, announced the new policy on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholder meeting on preparations for the Nigeria Aviation Centenary Celebration and the inaugural Nigerian International Air Show, scheduled for December 2 to 4, 2025.
Keyamo explained that the directive was part of efforts to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices and commitment to national security.
According to him, similar gestures are common in several other countries and reflect respect for those in uniform.
“This is what is done in other countries, and it is not a bad thing to emulate. It is the least we can do to recognise our serving military personnel,” the minister stated.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, described the policy as both “brilliant and symbolic,” saying it would be immediately forwarded to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for implementation.
He added that the initiative would serve as a visible expression of national appreciation for the military’s role in safeguarding the country.
The new boarding order followed a similar practice introduced earlier in April by Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, which began prioritising serving military officers, passengers with special needs, and business class travellers.
With Keyamo’s directive, all domestic airlines are now expected to adopt the same approach.
The move has been widely viewed as a gesture of respect toward the nation’s armed forces, aligning Nigeria’s aviation practices with international standards of honouring military service.
