"This is what is done in other countries, and it is not a bad thing to copy. It is the least we can do to honour our serving military personnel."
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed all airlines in Nigeria to give serving military personnel priority boarding ahead of business class passengers.
Mr Keyamo announced the directive on Tuesday during a meeting on the centenary celebration of aviation in Nigeria and the inaugural Nigeria International Air Show, scheduled for 2-4 December.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
The policy, he said, is a tribute to the sacrifice and dedication of members of the Nigerian armed forces.
"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," he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ibrahim Kana, said the directive will be promptly communicated to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for implementation.
He described the move as "both brilliant and symbolic," adding that it demonstrates national gratitude towards the armed forces.
Before the new directive, Air Peace had already introduced a similar practice, allowing serving military personnel to board before other passengers.
The airline's Chairperson and CEO, Allen Onyema, said the gesture was part of Air Peace's "corporate ethos of patriotism and appreciation for national service."
According to him, the practice is a symbolic "thank you" to those defending the country's unity and sovereignty, a gesture from which the government is now taking a cue.
On that score, the Ministry of Aviation has tasked the NCAA with issuing detailed implementation guidelines to airlines and airport operators, including how to verify military credentials, train boarding staff and communicate the change to the public.
Mr Kana said airlines will be required to update their boarding systems and include "serving military personnel" as a distinct passenger category during check-in and announcements.
He added that the directive is not merely ceremonial but intended to become an enduring industry standard.
Global Practice
The initiative mirrors a long-standing tradition in countries such as the US, Canada, and parts of Europe, where airlines honour active-duty military personnel with early boarding privileges.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
In the US, most major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines, grant such military officers the special right as a mark of national respect.
Delta allows service members with valid military identification to board during pre-boarding, while American Airlines places them in Group 1 alongside business class passengers. United Airlines also enforces the practice.
