Treat Nigerian Passengers with Dignity, Says Dr Kana…As Ethiopian Airlines Boosts Abuja Flights, Strengthens Nigeria Ties
Oru Leonard
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Ibrahim Kana has urged the Management of the Ethiopian Airlines to treat Nigerian Passengers with dignity which will keep enhancing the good diplomatic relationship with both countries.
Dr Kana stated this while commending the Ethiopian Airlines and the entire Ethiopian Community during the reception of Inaugural flight for the 2nd Abuja Frequency by Ethiopian Airlines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), on Tuesday.
The plane arrived at about 22.00 pm Nigerian time on Tuesday, 28th October, 2025, which increased the Ethiopian Airlines flight schedule to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, added three extra (night flights), weekly flights to its daily schedule. This brings the total weekly frequency to 10 flights, effective October 28, 2025.
The additional flights aim to support the growing Meetings, Conferences, and Exhibitions sector in Abuja, positioning the city as a hub for international business and tourism. The new evening flights will improve connectivity to the airline’s global network, including destinations in Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Specifically end delay waiting time for connecting flights from Nigeria to other Continents.
Speaking, The Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Legesse Geremew Haile noted that the development symbolizes the deep-rooted ties between Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Also speaking Firiehewot Mekonnen, the Country Manager Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria stated, “This new service is truly historic. Sixty-five years ago, in 1960, Ethiopian Airlines proudly became one of the first international carriers to fly to Nigeria, starting operations to Lagos shortly after Nigeria’s independence. Since then, we have grown alongside this great nation expanding our network to Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Kano, serving millions of Nigerian passengers with pride, safety, and excellence.
“Today, we mark yet another milestone the start of a second frequency to Abuja, the Capital of Nigeria. This development symbolizes our continued commitment to strengthening the deep-rooted ties between Ethiopia and Nigeria and supporting Nigeria’s position as a leading aviation and economic hub in Africa.
“Our partnership with Nigeria has always been symbiotic built on mutual respect, shared vision, and trust. We love Nigeria, and Nigerians have always loved Ethiopian Airlines. Together, we have connected Nigeria to over 150 global destinations through our Addis Ababa hub, using one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world, including the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
She gave a breakdown of the weekly operation which started on 28th October 2025, Ethiopian Airlines will operate three additional weekly evening flights from Abuja, in addition to the existing daily midday flight.
The new service, ET 957, departed Abuja at 10:00 PM and arrived in Addis Ababa at 5:00 AM, providing faster and more convenient connections to key African and Asian destinations, including Dubai, Tel Aviv, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and beyond.
With this development, Ethiopian Airlines now operates 34 weekly flights between Nigeria and Ethiopia, connecting:
• Lagos – twice daily (14 weekly flights)
• Abuja – 10 weekly flights (7 midday + 3 evening)
• Enugu – 3 weekly flights
• Kano – 7weekly flights
This brings our total to over 34 weekly frequencies to and from Nigeria making Ethiopian Airlines the largest international carrier operating into Nigeria today.
“Our continued growth in Nigeria reflects not only our commercial success but also our unwavering belief in the Nigerian market, its people, and its future. We remain committed to providing world-class service, supporting tourism and trade, and contributing to Nigeria’s aviation development for decades to come.
“Together, let us continue to elevate the partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Nigeria to even greater heights”, Mekonnen concluded.
The increased flight frequency will strengthen economic cooperation, facilitate trade and investment, and promote pan-African unity.
Cover Photo Caption: Adedayo Benjamin Laniyan The FCT Mandate Secretary Women And Children , Ambassador Legesse Geremew Haile, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Firiehewot Mekonnen, the Country Manager Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria and Area Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Nigeria. Tseday Samson in group photo graph with the Pilot of ET 957,
