The first collaboration, which was started by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was finally abandoned due to fierce opposition from industry participants.

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation, was among those who criticized the agreement, saying it was an attempt to give Ethiopian Airlines control over Nigeria’s flag airline.

Following the project’s termination, tensions between Ethiopia and Nigeria increased, prompting diplomatic involvement.

Following private talks between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, Tinubu dispatched a fact-finding committee to Addis Ababa.

Michael Adebayo, a representative for Ethiopian Airlines, voiced concerns over Keyamo’s adamant resistance, cautioning that more criticism would harm ties between the two countries.

The airline disputed claims of monopolizing the aviation industry and emphasized that it had complied with Nigerian legislation in a letter to President Tinubu dated October 15, 2024.

After Keyamo met with Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, last week, recent diplomatic encounters stoked rumors of a new agreement.

The minister said that his visit was only a courtesy call during the African Union conference in Addis Ababa, but he denied restarting talks.

Ethiopian Airlines’ social media post about the meeting, in spite of this denial, has fueled rumors that talks would resume.