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:
Kunle Soname, the founder of Value Jet, is a Nigerian entrepreneur with extensive experience in building and managing businesses across multiple sectors worldwide. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles, launched several companies, and acquired stakes in international ventures.
Aside from founding the airline, he is known for founding Bet9ja, one of Nigeria’s top betting platforms. His love for football led him to make history in 2015 as the first Nigerian to own a European football club, C.D. Feirense.
A graduate in Estate Management from Obafemi Awolowo University, Soname also served as Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council until 2011. His passion for the game started earlier when he established Remo Stars Football Club in 2004, which later moved to Ogun State and now plays in the Nigerian Premier League.
In 2018, Soname turned his focus to aviation, launching ValueJet. The airline began operations in 2022 and now connects major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yola. With a fleet of Bombardier CRJ900 jets, ValueJet aims to make domestic flights safe, reliable, and affordable.
Beyond business, Soname is active in philanthropy and community development. In 2022, he was recognized as a patron at the University of Lagos, highlighting his contributions to education and social causes. Through sports, business, and aviation, Kunle Soname has built a career defined by vision, innovation, and a drive to create opportunities for Nigerians.
