….…Urges NCAA To Curb Jet Fuel Black Market
The growing black market for aviation fuel in Nigeria has become a serious safety concern for the aviation industry, former Managing Director of Arik Air and Chairman of Ndano Energy Limited, Chris Ndulue, has warned.
Speaking at the Gateway Colloquium organised by CITA in partnership with the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), themed “Aviation Fuel Business: The Scenario and the Metaphor,” Ndulue said the illicit trade in aviation fuel poses significant risks to flight safety and industry integrity.
He noted that the proliferation of small marketers, weak regulatory oversight, and low entry barriers into the market have created loopholes exploited by unscrupulous operators who steal and sell aviation fuel on the black market.
“The NCAA has to look at the entire supply chain, from procurement to delivery, to ensure the safety, security, and quality of aviation fuel supplied to airlines,” Ndulue cautioned.
He continued: “There are too many marketers operating without proper scrutiny. If an operator buys from those who steal the product, they are indirectly promoting the black market for aviation fuel.”
He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen its regulatory framework and monitor the economic and financial health of fuel marketers to ensure that only credible and qualified operators are licensed.
According to him, the proliferation of small and unregulated marketers not only threatens operational safety but also undermines the sustainability of the industry.
“The black market is growing because people are jumping into the business without adequate regulation.
“We need to focus on building a system that guarantees safety, security, and the quality of aviation fuel. The NCAA must ensure that the business is conducted in a way that nothing is compromised,” Ndulue stressed.
Ndulue also advocated increased collaboration among marketers and industry stakeholders to establish standards that promote safety, transparency, and sustainability.
He emphasised that the quality and integrity of aviation fuel directly affect the reliability and safety of flight operations.
In his remarks, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, represented by Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), acknowledged the critical role of aviation fuel in airline operations.
He described aviation fuel as both a major cost driver for airlines and a key indicator of national logistics and economic stability.
Keyamo said the current challenges in the aviation fuel market, including fluctuating prices, supply shortages, and infrastructure gaps, demand urgent and coordinated action.
He noted that while the “scenario” reflects current vulnerabilities, the “metaphor” calls on stakeholders to envision a new energy framework that supports growth, innovation, and environmental responsibility in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“As a ministry, we remain committed to promoting policies and partnerships that ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of aviation fuel.
“We are also fostering dialogue between government, oil marketers, and airline operators to build a fair and transparent fuel supply chain that supports economic sustainability and operational excellence,” he said.
Keyamo encouraged industry players to use the forum as an opportunity to craft practical solutions to the challenges confronting the aviation fuel subsector, noting that collective action is vital to securing the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The colloquium brought together regulators, fuel marketers, and aviation stakeholders to deliberate on safety, pricing, and sustainability issues in the sector, with consensus on the need for stronger oversight, collaboration, and investment to ensure a secure and transparent fuel supply chain for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
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