Air Peace announces 1,000 graduate jobs in response to FG’s suspension of the 4% import levy.
Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has announced plans to recruit 1,000 fresh graduates through its 2025/2026 Graduate Trainee Programme, positioning the initiative as a direct response to the Federal Government’s suspension of the controversial 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy on imported goods.
The levy, introduced by Customs earlier this year, triggered widespread pushback from manufacturers, importers, and clearing agents, who warned it would fuel inflation, erode trade competitiveness, and worsen Nigeria’s fragile investment climate.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, confirmed that the government acted on those concerns. He acknowledged the levy’s potential risks to trade facilitation and economic stability, noting that the suspension was a necessary step to safeguard businesses.
Reacting to the development, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, described the policy shift as a decisive move that could have far-reaching positive effects on the aviation industry.
This suspension is a lifeline for the aviation industry. It removes a heavy burden that could have crippled airlines and triggered massive job losses. In turn, Air Peace is reciprocating this kind gesture by creating 1,000 fresh graduate jobs for young Nigerians,” Onyema said in a statement on Wednesday.
He stressed that the initiative highlights the potential of government-private sector collaboration in stimulating growth.
If further supportive measures like this come from the Federal Government, I can assure you that thousands more jobs will be created in the aviation sector. This is how partnerships can transform a nation,” he added.
The newly launched Graduate Trainee Programme, according to Onyema, is designed to equip young Nigerians with mentorship, hands-on industry exposure, and critical skills to thrive in aviation and related sectors.
It serves as a strategic pipeline for building a competent, future-ready workforce to support the continued growth of the sector,” Onyema explained.
Eligibility Criteria
Air Peace outlined that applicants must:
- Be 30 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Hold at least a Second Class Lower (2:2) degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- Present an NYSC discharge, exemption, or exclusion certificate.
- Demonstrate passion, adaptability, and a strong desire to learn.
Interested candidates can apply via Air Peace Graduate Trainee Portal or by scanning the QR code on the official programme flier. Applications close on September 30, 2025.
Edited by Aremu Toyeebaht
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