By Abubakar Ojima-ojo
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising Nigeria’s aviation sector through the acquisition of newer, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft, while strengthening collaboration among aircraft manufacturers, financiers, lessors and indigenous airline operators.F
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reiterated the commitment during a working visit to Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre (LBCC) in Montréal, Canada, where he led a delegation of Nigerian airline operators and senior aviation officials.
A statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, said the visit marked the conclusion of the Federal Government’s strategic engagement with the world’s leading aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
According to the statement, Keyamo said the administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment that will allow indigenous carriers to expand and modernise their fleets.
“Our objective has always been clear: to connect Nigerian operators directly with the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers and create opportunities that will strengthen indigenous capacity, modernise our fleets, improve safety, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our aviation industry,” the minister said.
Moshood explained that the Bombardier visit forms part of the government’s broader fleet modernisation agenda aimed at encouraging Nigerian operators to acquire newer, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft while strengthening partnerships with aircraft manufacturers, financiers and leasing companies.
He added that the successful completion of engagements with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier underscores the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to reposition Nigeria as Africa’s preferred aviation hub through strategic international partnerships, private-sector collaboration and sustainable industry reforms.
According to the statement, the government’s comprehensive OEM engagement programme is expected to support fleet renewal, improve access to aircraft financing, expand technical cooperation, strengthen maintenance capabilities and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines.
The minister was accompanied on the visit by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku; Nigeria’s Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Engr. Mahmoud Sani Ben-Tukur; and other senior government officials and industry stakeholders.
The statement noted that the visit fulfils a commitment made by Keyamo upon assuming office in 2023 to establish direct partnerships between Nigerian operators and leading global aircraft manufacturers.
It added that with the conclusion of the Bombardier visit, the Federal Government has completed strategic engagements with the four major OEMs—Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier—as part of efforts to support fleet renewal, improve aircraft financing opportunities and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
