The much talked about Air Nigeria will commence operations before the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari ends on May 29, 2023, says Michael Ohiani, the acting head of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Mr Ohiani said on Sunday in Abuja that the ICRC was now working round the clock to get the national carrier operational.

He said that ICRC was working closely with the Ministry of Aviation, adding that a new presidential approval had just been given that would advance the process.

The ICRC boss, who did not give details of the approvals, assured that the process would be moving to the next stage by the end of February.

“I want to assure the Nigerian public that we are working round the clock to get it operational. We are working with the Ministry of Aviation and we have just gotten a presidential approval.

“We will get the concessionaire, once we have gotten the concessionaire which is a major step, the issue of operation will now follow.

“I can assure you that before the end of this administration, Air Nigeria will start flying,” he said.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in November 2021, gave approval for the commencement of processes to inaugurate the nation’s air carrier, Air Nigeria.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who at that time briefed newsmen, announced April 2022 as the effective date for the take-off.

Mr Sirika had also said that 49 per cent of the Nigeria Air project would be owned by strategic equity partners, 46 per cent by Nigerians while the Federal Government wound five per cent of the shares.