The Federal Government has announced plans to set up an aircraft manufacturing facility in Nigeria, marking a significant step towards positioning the country as a regional hub for aviation services.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this during the launch of XeJet’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and flight support centre in Abuja.
The project is a collaboration between XeJet, an indigenous aviation operator, and local banks. According to the minister, the initiative aligns with the government’s vision to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.
“Since we came to office, we’ve been focused on attracting MRO facilities to our aviation ecosystem, just as they exist in other parts of the world,” Keyamo said. “We’ve searched far and wide for investors, but now we see that what we were looking for elsewhere is right here at home. This collaboration between an indigenous operator and local banks is a dream come true.”
Keyamo highlighted the inclusion of additional facilities, such as a training centre, which he described as a significant milestone for the industry.
“This development will not only serve Nigeria but will attract users from across the West African sub-region,” he said. “That’s the dream—to make this facility a regional centre for excellence.”
The initiative is expected to advance local aviation capacity while fostering economic growth and regional cooperation in the aviation sector.
