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By Chinelo Obogo
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered a two-month suspension of the controversial helicopter landing levy following mounting pressure from operators in the oil and gas industry.
The decision came after a high-level meeting held Monday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where stakeholders warned that the continued enforcement of the charge could disrupt critical offshore operations that support Nigeria’s energy sector. The meeting brought together key players from aviation and petroleum industries, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, senior officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), international oil companies, the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Also present were the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Aviation Ministry, Yakubu Kofarmata, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Umar Farouk. According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Tunde Moshood, the meeting was convened following concerns raised by oil and gas stakeholders over the operational implications of the levy.
Industry players argued that enforcing the charge under the current structure could negatively affect vital offshore logistics operations that depend heavily on helicopter services.
The helicopter landing fee has been a major flashpoint between regulators and aviation operators since it was introduced during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Under the policy, international and local oil companies were required to pay $300 for every helicopter landing on offshore oil platforms, rigs, airstrips, aerodromes, and helipads across Nigeria.
Helicopter operators and aviation stakeholders strongly opposed the levy from the outset, arguing that it was unjustified and could undermine the economics of offshore aviation services.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) was among the most vocal critics, with members describing the policy as illegal, poorly conceived, and predatory.
Following sustained pushback, the federal government was forced to step in. In May 2024, Keyamo announced a temporary suspension of the levy to allow a comprehensive review of the policy framework.
At the time, the minister explained that a joint committee involving representatives from the ministry, aviation agencies, airline operators, international oil companies, and NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd—the firm authorised to collect the levy—would examine the issues and recommend a workable solution.
However, the controversy resurfaced a year later.
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On May 15, 2025, exactly one year after the earlier suspension, the government lifted the pause and authorised the resumption of collections. A circular titled “Authority to Collect Helicopter Landing Levy by Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Ltd”, signed by Akut D. S., General Manager of Air Traffic Control Operations at NAMA, directed the company to immediately restart the levy.
The decision triggered fresh tensions within the sector.
In early July 2025, the situation escalated further when NAMA issued a seven-day ultimatum to operators, including international oil companies, demanding proof of payment or a formal payment plan.
The agency warned that non-compliant operators risked being denied start-up clearances for flight operations.
The directive intensified industry resistance, with stakeholders insisting that the levy could raise operational costs for offshore aviation and ultimately affect oil production logistics.
Faced with renewed agitation, Keyamo convened Monday’s stakeholder meeting to seek a middle ground and prevent further disruption.
After extensive deliberations, the minister approved a fresh suspension of the levy for an initial two-month period, creating room for a broader consultation process.
He also directed the immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial committee involving representatives from both the aviation and petroleum sectors.
The committee is expected to review the policy, address industry concerns, and propose a framework that balances regulatory objectives with the operational realities of offshore aviation services.
Officials say the review will examine how best to structure the levy—if it is retained—without undermining investment, safety operations, or logistics support in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The decision to pause enforcement once again reflects the government’s effort to maintain dialogue with critical sectors of the economy while seeking sustainable regulatory solutions.
For now, helicopter operators and oil companies have welcomed the breathing space, hoping the review process will lead to a policy framework that supports both aviation oversight and uninterrupted energy operations.
