BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The conversation around Nigeria’s aviation fuel crisis took centre stage in Lagos as industry leaders, regulators and operators gathered for the CITA Energies Aviation Colloquium, organised in partnership with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
The one-day event, held on October 23, 2025, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, called for a total overhaul of the nation’s aviation fuel ecosystem, from infrastructure to pricing, quality control and regulation.
Themed around the sustainability of aviation fuel operations, the colloquium also marked the 55th birthday celebration of CITA Energies’ Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe, whose leadership in the downstream aviation sector has earned widespread recognition.
Industry stakeholders at the event identified poor infrastructure, arbitrary pricing, quality inconsistency, and weak regulation as long-standing challenges that threaten airline viability and aviation safety.
The communique issued at the end of the colloquium called for urgent government action to modernize fuel distribution and strengthen oversight mechanisms.
“The government should take deliberate measures to devise a less cumbersome and expensive aviation fuel distribution method that keeps trucks off the roads while ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency,” participants resolved.
They also urged the inclusion of aviation fuel storage facilities and hydrant systems in the planning of new airports, while upgrading existing ones for improved performance.
Acknowledging that Jet A1 constitutes about 40 percent of airlines’ operating costs, experts demanded swift interventions to stabilize pricing and ensure steady availability.
“Regulatory bodies must give greater attention to quality assurance and the financial health of aviation marketers,” the communique stressed.
Stakeholders further called for a dedicated jet fuel regulatory framework to streamline operations and ensure accountability.
Collaboration among agencies, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was strongly recommended to minimize costs associated with trucking, demurrage, and delayed payments.
While applauding the impact of the Dangote Refinery in improving domestic jet fuel supply, participants urged the refinery to comply strictly with international inspection and quality standards.
They also warned against any form of market monopoly, insisting that “competition is vital to sustaining quality and fair pricing.”
Speakers including Dr. Ogungbangbe, Mr. Chris Ndulue (MD, Ndano Energy), Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun (Co-Founder, Geometric Aviation Synergy) and Capt. Augustine Okon, former MD of ADC Airlines, explored solutions for achieving global best practices in fuel management.
Panelists such as Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), Engineer Peter Dia, Dr. Betiku Olasimbo, Engineer John Abegunde, and Martin Abhulimen of Ibom Air agreed that ensuring product integrity, transparency, and sustainability is key to rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s jet fuel supply chain.
Participants also called for Nigeria to begin exploring Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in line with global energy transition trends.
In a rousing close, the communique captured the spirit of the forum: “Every litre of jet fuel in an aircraft must reflect the strength, reliability, and integrity of the Nigerian spirit, proof that our aviation industry can soar on innovation, quality, and trust.”
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
