By Toba Owojaiye
In a move poised to redefine regional air connectivity in Nigeria, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State on Monday launched Enugu Air, drawing commendations from federal authorities and rekindling conversations about leadership beyond political affiliations.
Truth Live News gathered during the inauguration ceremony at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, that Festus Keyamo (SAN), lauded the PDP governor as “one of Nigeria’s best-performing leaders,” despite belonging to the opposition.
“Dr Peter Mbah, you’re in PDP, but we’re scared of you,” Keyamo declared with candour. “The way you’re going, we don’t know what will happen… but beyond party lines, we should not be afraid to say it, you have a progressive spirit. You’ve done well for Enugu State.”
Keyamo’s remarks mirrored earlier commendations by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had also acknowledged Mbah’s governance model as exemplary. The bipartisan recognition underscored Mbah’s growing national profile and ability to execute state development programs with technocratic precision.
Enugu Air, which begins operations with three Embraer jets (E170 and E190 series), will initially serve a triangular route linking Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos. Plans are already in motion to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano, with international routes under active consideration.
Governor Mbah described the initiative as a core element of his administration’s strategy to transform Enugu into a premier investment destination and logistics hub in West Africa.
“This is not just an airline; it is an economic enabler. Enugu Air will unlock new supply chains, enhance tourism, and ease movement for business and governance. We are committed to its sustainability,” Mbah said in his remarks.
Keyamo urged the state to resist the historic pitfalls that led to the collapse of Nigeria’s former national carrier.
“Do not let Enugu Air go the way of Nigerian Airways. Run it professionally and do not let bureaucracy kill Enugu Air,” he warned. “Let it be prompt in departure and arrival, and ensure it is driven by business logic, not political sentiment.”
Aviation analysts say the deployment of Embraer jets, known for their fuel efficiency and suitability for regional routes, suggests careful planning and an understanding of market dynamics.
Observers see the launch as both symbolic and strategic: Enugu becomes one of the first subnational entities in Nigeria to float an airline under current economic constraints. Coming just over a year into Mbah’s tenure, Enugu Air signals a bold ambition to align governance with commercial innovation.
“This is a statement of intent. Mbah is playing on a national scale now, this is not just state-level delivery,” said Dr. Amaka Obasi, a political economist and transport analyst.
That the endorsement came from a senior minister in Tinubu’s cabinet, and was broadcast unfiltered, is significant in Nigeria’s often partisan political landscape. It may also reflect the Tinubu administration’s tacit support for pragmatic, results-driven governance regardless of party.
Keyamo’s statement: We don’t know how to drop a scheme to defeat you, but we will be planning”, struck a tone both playful and pointed, suggesting that Mbah’s growing influence could recalibrate the PDP’s strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
The launch of Enugu Air is more than a state initiative, it is a declaration of what subnational leadership can achieve with vision, strategy, and execution. As Enugu positions itself as an economic hub in southeastern Nigeria, Mbah’s bold aviation move has set the pace and narrative for what future governance could look like.
“History is not made by chance, but by choice,” Mbah told attendees. “Today, we choose to fly.”