The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said Nigeria has the largest fleet of private jets in Africa, describing the country’s thriving business aviation market as a major opportunity to attract investment and strengthen partnerships with leading global aircraft manufacturers.
Keyamo made the disclosure in Montréal, Canada, during a strategic engagement with Bombardier after a working visit to the company’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the visit concluded a series of engagements with four of the world’s leading aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) — Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier.
The meetings were aimed at expanding Nigerian airlines’ access to modern aircraft, financing opportunities, technical support and other initiatives designed to improve the country’s aviation industry.
Keyamo said Nigeria’s growing business aviation market has positioned the country as one of Africa’s most important aviation markets, adding that the large number of privately owned aircraft operating in the country presents enormous opportunities for growth.
“Nigeria has the highest number of private jets in Africa. That is a huge market, and we want to leverage that strength to build stronger relationships with manufacturers, create opportunities for our operators and support the overall growth of our aviation industry,” the minister said.
Fleet modernisation remains priority
The minister explained that the Federal Government’s strategy is to establish direct relationships between Nigerian operators and leading aircraft manufacturers to facilitate fleet renewal and improve operational standards across the industry.
According to him, stronger collaboration with manufacturers will help indigenous operators modernise their fleets, improve safety standards, enhance operational efficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“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,” Keyamo said.
He added that the Tinubu administration remains committed to reforms that will encourage investment in aviation while creating a more competitive environment for airlines and other industry stakeholders.
Nigerian delegation tours Bombardier facilities
The Nigerian delegation included the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; the 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; alongside other government officials and aviation stakeholders.
During the visit, the delegation toured Bombardier’s manufacturing and aircraft completion facilities, where they received detailed presentations on aircraft maintenance systems, pilot and technical training, digital aviation technologies, aftermarket services and aircraft acquisition solutions.
Bombardier, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of business aircraft, produces the Challenger and Global series of executive jets while also providing aircraft completion, maintenance, training and technical support services.
Government targets long-term aviation growth
The Federal Government said the engagements are expected to open up opportunities in fleet modernisation, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, engineering support, aviation training, technical capacity development and aerospace technology transfer.
It added that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at encouraging Nigerian operators to acquire newer, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft while strengthening partnerships with aircraft manufacturers, financiers and aircraft lessors.
According to the government, the engagements with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier reflect the Tinubu administration’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria as Africa’s preferred aviation hub through strategic global partnerships, private-sector collaboration and sustainable reforms that will drive long-term growth in the aviation and aerospace sectors.