Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the country currently hosts nearly 240 private jets, establishing it as the largest business aviation market in Africa. During a strategic visit to Bombardier Incorporated in Montreal, Canada, the Minister led a delegation of senior aviation officials and private operators to discuss the potential establishment of a major aircraft maintenance and service centre in Nigeria. Keyamo noted that Nigeria currently loses significant foreign exchange weekly as private jet owners must fly their aircraft abroad for routine maintenance. By bringing such services into the country, the government aims to conserve foreign currency, create skilled jobs for Nigerians, and position the nation as a regional aviation hub. This visit concludes a series of high-level engagements with global aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aviation sector through improved technical support, fleet modernisation, and infrastructure development.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Minister Festus Keyamo is pushing for a major aircraft maintenance facility in Nigeria to support the country’s fleet of nearly 240 private jets, the largest in Africa. Currently, the country faces significant capital flight as aircraft owners are forced to seek maintenance services overseas. The proposed collaboration with Bombardier, following similar talks with other major manufacturers, is part of a broader government agenda to modernize the nation’s aviation fleet, reduce operational costs, and foster technical capacity development. Additionally, the government continues to address regulatory challenges, such as the preference for foreign aircraft registration and concerns regarding illegal air charter operations, which prompted the establishment of a ministerial task force.

Option 3: Formal/Policy-Oriented

The Federal Government is actively pursuing strategic international partnerships to reposition Nigeria as a premier aviation hub in Africa. Minister Festus Keyamo highlighted that the rapid growth of Nigeria’s private jet fleet—which has more than doubled in five years—necessitates domestic maintenance capabilities to stem the outflow of foreign exchange. While addressing economic and regulatory issues, such as the use of foreign registration to bypass local levies, the Ministry is focused on long-term sustainability through fleet modernisation and enhanced technical support. The recent engagement with Bombardier, supported by key aviation agency heads, aligns with the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving aviation safety, operational efficiency, and creating an enabling environment for indigenous aviation businesses.