- FG announces plans for an aircraft manufacturing company in Nigeria.
- XeJet partners with local banks to create a regional aviation hub.
- Multi-million dollar project promises jobs, growth, and technological innovation.
The Federal Government has announced its plans to establish an aircraft manufacturing company in Nigeria, aiming to bolster the aviation sector and position the country as a regional hub for aerospace services.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this development during the inauguration of XeJet’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and flight support center in Abuja.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Keyamo emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s vision of supporting local operators and creating an aviation ecosystem capable of competing globally.
“This facility is a significant milestone. Since assuming office, we’ve been committed to attracting MRO facilities to Nigeria, akin to what exists in other regions worldwide. What we sought abroad is now materializing here through the collaboration between XeJet and local banks—a partnership that is both strategic and timely,” Keyamo said.
The minister highlighted the additional facilities planned for the project, including a training center that will enhance local expertise. He expressed optimism about the facility’s potential to attract aviation operators from across West Africa, calling it “a regional center for excellence.”
Emmanuel Iza, Chief Executive Officer of XeJet, outlined the company’s ambitious vision to place Nigeria on the global map for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance. “Our goal is to contribute to aircraft production, even in components such as wings, landing gears, or tires. Nigeria has the talent; what we need is an enabling environment and world-class facilities,” Iza stated.
Iza also stressed the employment opportunities the project is expected to create, revealing that XeJet currently employs around 300 people, a figure projected to increase fourfold with the facility’s establishment.
The project’s first phase involves land grading and constructing a taxiway linking the runway to the facility, with an estimated cost of $5 million. Subsequent construction of the facility is expected to require similar financial investments.
The MRO facility and the broader vision for aircraft manufacturing signify a transformative step in Nigeria’s aviation sector, promising economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement.
