Sirika told journalists on Wednesday in Abuja that no airline operator would be allowed to fly the aircraft into or out of Nigeria.
The Nigerian minister’s statement comes after Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on Sunday enroute from Addis Ababa to Nairobi with 149 passengers and eight crew on board.
Local media reports stated the minister had on Monday assured air travelers in Nigeria the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft is not operational in the country.
According to the minister, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued the necessary advisory as it relates to the country.