Allen Onyema is the founder and CEO of Air Peace. He embodies both the potential of a transformative tycoon and complexities of Nigerian entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, Air Peace has evolved from a modest startup in 2013 to West Africa’s largest private airline. In March 2024, the airline made headlines with its entry into the Lagos-London route and subsequently received approval to operate the Abuja-London route. This expansion, marked by competitive pricing that forced established carriers to slash their fares, attests to Onyema’s knack for market disruption and his stated commitment to making international travel more accessible to Nigerians.
Beyond commercial success, Onyema has demonstrated remarkable humanitarian leadership in times of crisis. During the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2019, he chartered flights to evacuate stranded Nigerians, earning widespread commendation. In 2023, Air Peace played a crucial role in airlifting Nigerian citizens who wanted to leave Sudan amid escalating violence.
However, Onyema’s acclaim has been marred by serious legal challenges in the United States. Following an indictment in 2019 by the U.S. Department of Justice, his legal troubles have only intensified. In October 2024, U.S. authorities expanded their existing indictment against him to 38 counts, including fresh charges of obstruction of justice alongside previous allegations of bank fraud and money laundering. The charges, centred around suspicious movement of $20 million through U.S. banks, have led to arrest warrants against him and intensified scrutiny of his business practices.
Notwithstanding the charges – which the businessman has vehemently denied – Onyema’s airline continues to expand its footprint. The launch of Air Peace’s London flight service sparked what industry observers described as a “price war”, with foreign carriers dramatically reducing their fares in what Onyema characterised as a “devilish conspiracy” to drive his airline out of the market. The competition saw ticket prices plummet from N3 million to around N841,732 for round trips.
While his airline’s expansion has undeniably made international air travel cheaper for Nigerians during a very difficult year, the unresolved allegations raise some questions about the foundation of his business success. As the legal proceedings unfold, Onyema’s story serves as a complex parable of ambition, achievement, and the intricacies in the Nigerian business landscape. It is hoped that his Air Peace will succeed on the lucrative international routes where other Nigerian airlines have failed.