The Nigerian House of Representatives has called on the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to reconsider the issuance of a private airstrip license granted to Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church, citing national security concerns. This decision came during a session led by Representative Suleiman Gumi, who introduced a motion questioning the security implications of private airstrips across Nigeria. Gumi argued that the increase in private airstrip approvals could facilitate smuggling of firearms, illicit drugs, and other illegal activities that may exacerbate existing security issues like banditry and insurgency.
The license in question, recently approved for the church’s Canaanland facility in Ogun State, allows Bishop Oyedepo and his congregation to bypass public airports. Oyedepo had publicly celebrated the license, noting that it would ease travel for himself and other church members attending events at the church’s massive headquarters. However, the Reps argued that such private airstrips, even if well-intentioned, pose a risk by potentially creating pathways for unauthorized goods to enter the country unchecked.
In response, the House adopted Gumi’s motion, asking the Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies to halt future airstrip approvals for private entities and conduct a thorough security review on those already approved.
