The Federal Government on Monday said it would ban citizens from some countries from gaining entry into Nigeria in order to ensure safety at Nigerian airports and the country in general.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

He stated that this was another reason why the government had not approved the re-commencement of commercial international flights to come in and out of Nigeria.

He said, “On the question about when we are to begin international travels, certainly, you are very aware that so many countries had placed a ban on countries that we cannot go even from Nigeria.

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“Also Nigeria, of course, will place a ban on other countries who cannot come into the country, because everyone is trying to keep safe.”

He added, “These and many other reasons will make us be cautious, to study some more and to liaise with all the stakeholders and decide when we will open for international flights.”

The Minister said operators in the sector had wanted to fully open the airspace to local and international flights but safety must be given priority when making such decisions.

Sirika said, “In aviation, we want to open like yesterday because we are losing money; we are bleeding. But we must stay alive first before we are able to make money.”

The Minister also stated that domestic flights at airports were being staggered in order not to allow crowding at the airports.

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