Captain Mohammed Madugu, a Nigerian pilot born in Kano, made headlines as he piloted the first Emirates Airlines flight back to Nigeria after a two-year suspension. The UAE-based airline had paused its flights to Lagos and Abuja in September 2022 due to an inability to repatriate over $80 million in trapped funds. This resumption of service, marked by Capt. Madugu’s leadership in the cockpit, was a symbolic and momentous occasion for both Emirates and Nigeria.
The suspension of flights had been compounded by a visa ban on Nigerians, affecting travel between the two countries. However, through diplomatic efforts led by Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, the situation was resolved. Nigeria cleared approximately $900 million in foreign airline funds, paving the way for Emirates to resume operations on October 1, 2024, coinciding with Nigeria’s Independence Day.
At 3:32 pm local time, an Emirates Boeing 737-300ER landed at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) with Capt. Madugu at the helm. The pilot shared his pride on social media, stating, “A very special day for me today, I have the honor of operating our inaugural return flight to Lagos, Nigeria. Today I’ll be flying both the Emirates and Nigerian flag very high!”
Born on September 21, 1996, Capt. Madugu had previously been the youngest captain in Nigeria’s airline industry while flying for Azman Airline. His educational background includes attendance at Corona School, Laurel International School, and Nigerian Turkish International College before pursuing pilot training abroad.
Emirates’ return to Nigeria marks a significant moment in the relationship between the two nations, with Capt. Madugu playing a key role in this historic event.
News Editor