Nigeria’s aviation industry has grown from humble beginnings in small hangars to modern terminals buzzing with passengers, evolving into a critical driver of the nation’s economic and infrastructural development.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that Nigeria’s air transport industry adds $2.5 billion annually to GDP and sustains roughly 217,000 jobs, highlighting its role as a major employment and growth engine.
Today, Nigeria is home to 10 domestic passenger airlines. Its skies tell a story of ambition and innovation, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit that has long shaped the country’s business landscape.
The domestic airline seat capacity rose by six per cent year-on-year, increasing from 642,717 seats in October 2024 to 681,204 seats in October 2025, making Nigeria Africa’s second-largest domestic aviation market, just behind South Africa.
For decades, Nigeria’s aviation landscape has been shaped not only by pilots and cabin crews. Behind the statistics and busy airports are the visionaries who invest heavily to keep the industry moving. Entrepreneurs and promoters who build fleets, open new routes, and design customer experiences that push local airlines onto the global stage.
Here are the founders of 10 leading Nigerian passenger airlines:
Capt. Edward Boyo is the founder and CEO of Overland Airways, a scheduled commercial and charter airline based in Lagos. He also established Landover Company Limited, providing specialised aviation services across West Africa, and has been a driving force in professional aviation training through the Landover Aviation Business School and the International Aviation College in Ilorin.
He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos and has over 30 years of hands-on experience in aviation.
Overland Airways operates domestic flights connecting cities like Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Akure, Dutse, Minna, Bauchi, Asaba, and Jalingo. Under Capt. Boyo’s leadership, the airline has grown steadily while maintaining a focus on operational safety, reliability, and service quality.
Beyond running an airline, Capt. Boyo has been a pioneer in aviation development in Africa. He founded the Aviation & Allied Business Africa Journal, organises the annual Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference, and has facilitated professional training for pilots and entrepreneurs across the continent.
A licensed pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot License and a U.S. FAA Flight Engineering License, Capt. Boyo combines technical expertise with business acumen.
