Air Peace Announces 1,000 Graduate Jobs after FG Suspends Controversial Import Levy
- Air Peace has opened 1,000 jobs for its 2025/2026 Graduate Trainee Programme for Nigerians
- Allen Onyema, Air Peace boss, announced the job openings following the suspension of the 4% FOB levy by the FG
- Onyema said the programme was to reciprocate the government’s efforts to protect jobs by suspending the controversial levy
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Nigeria’s biggest airline, Air Peace, has announced the creation of 1,000 jobs for fresh graduates via its Graduate Trainee Programme.
The airline’s Chairman, Allen Onyema, stated that the gesture is in reciprocation of the Nigerian government’s suspension of the 4% Free-On-Board levy on imports.
Source: UGC
Air Peace reciprocates FG's gesture
Legit.ng previously reported that the government suspended the planned implementation of the levy on all imports.
The decision was announced in a memo (Ref. No. F6380/T/12) issued by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on September 15, 2025.
Why 4% FOB levy was controversial
The suspension followed weeks of consultations with industry players, trade experts, and government agencies, who warned that the levy could trigger significant disruptions in the country’s already fragile trade environment.
The FOB charge would have required importers to pay an additional 4% of the value of goods being imported into Nigeria.
Business groups argued that the levy would increase the landing cost of imported goods, feeding directly into higher market prices for essential commodities, machinery, and raw materials.
Stakeholders praise FG
Critics also warned that the policy could worsen inflation, reduce Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, and push many small import-dependent businesses to the brink of collapse.
According to some stakeholders, the levy risked turning Nigeria into one of the most expensive markets in West Africa for imports, at a time when businesses are already struggling with forex challenges, tariffs, and rising logistics costs.
Meanwhile, Onyema praised President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, for listening to the industry stakeholders’ concerns to protect millions of jobs.
Onyema said:
“Just as the government has acted to protect jobs and support businesses, Air Peace is reciprocating this kind gesture by creating 1,000 fresh graduate jobs.”
According to the Air Peace boss, if other supportive measures like this come from the government, thousands of jobs will come onstream in the aviation industry.
According to a Daily Trust report, Onyema disclosed that the move by the government means a partnership with the private sector to transform the country.
Source: Getty Images
The graduate trainee Programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with skills, exposure, and mentorship to thrive in the aviation and allied industries and build a reservoir of competent professionals to drive growth in the sector.
Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines release new ticket prices
Legit.ng earlier reported that, because of the festive season, airfare hikes hit unprecedented levels. Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines charged N350,500 per one-way economy ticket from Lagos and Abuja to Owerri, Enugu, Anambra, Port Harcourt, and Asaba.
Both inbound and outbound trips were affected. Air Peace’s fares applied from December 1, 2025, to January 30, 2026, while United Nigeria’s yuletide pricing begins December 11 and runs through December.
United Nigeria Airlines says fares would reduce from January 1, 2026, to N150,000 on routes such as Abuja–Asaba, Port Harcourt, Anambra, and Owerri.
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Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
