The vast West African country's political gimmickry was once again in the limelight when it was uncovered that an aircraft announced as the official Nigeria Air airliner was a rented Ethiopian plane.

Dapo Olumide, Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Air, stated before a House of Representatives aviation committee that the aircraft used for the national carrier's launching was a chartered trip from Ethiopian Airlines.

The House Committee on Aviation has asked for the suspension of Nigeria Air's operations and the prosecution of the individuals responsible.

PHOTO | COURTESY Nigeria air unveils Ethiopian air

Olumide also revealed that the plane was returned to Ethiopia just 48 hours after it was unveiled.

Did you read this?

  1. Belgium's Brussels Airlines Resumes Direct Flights To Nairobi After 9 Years
  2. Pilot Found Drunk Before Flight Sentenced To 10 Months Prison
  3. Japan Airlines Jet Bursts Into Flames After Landing At Tokyo Airport (Watch Live Scene)

Olumide further admitted that the formalities for establishing a national carrier had yet to be completed before the staged announcement.

On May 26, the plane took off from Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, at 9:55 a.m. and landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 12:43 p.m.

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika introduced Nigeria Air, the national carrier, roughly three days before President Muhammadu Buhari's administration ended. The airline was one of President Muhammadu Buhari's campaign promises in 2015.

Sirika expressed joy that the project had taken off after "a very long, tedious, daunting, and difficult path" shortly after the plane touched down.

PHOTO | COURTESY Ethiopian air

Olumide stated that the aircraft was operated until the necessary steps for the airline's functioning were completed. He noted that his mandate was to obtain an air operating certificate for the airline, not to operate it, but to obtain a license to fly.

The authorities are not stating that there is a relationship between Nigeria Air and Ethiopian Airlines.

According to Reuters, the country's aviation minister stated in September that a consortium led by Ethiopian Airlines was the preferred bidder for shares in the new Nigerian airline Nigeria Air.

Ethiopian Airlines will control 49% of the new airline, the Nigerian Sovereign Fund will possess 46%, and the Nigerian federal government will own the remaining 5%.