FG, Airbus partner to boost Nigeria’s aviation sector

By Nnasom David

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus, a leading global aircraft manufacturer, to strengthen the country’s aviation and aerospace sector.

The agreement was signed during a working visit by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.

The minister was accompanied by senior officials from key aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and directors from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

According to the Ministry, the partnership is aimed at accelerating the development of Nigeria’s civil aviation ecosystem through support for infrastructure development, technical capacity building, and human capital development.

Speaking at the signing, Keyamo described the agreement as a strategic milestone for the sector.

“We are deeply honored to engage in a long-term partnership with Airbus. This agreement aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerating the development of Nigeria’s aeronautical ecosystem in all its dimensions,” he said.

President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East, Gabriel Semelas, said Nigeria remains central to Africa’s aviation growth prospects, citing its population size and expanding economy.

“Nigeria is at the heart of Africa’s aerospace opportunity. This agreement reflects our shared ambition to scale the civil aviation ecosystem in the country,” Semelas said.

He added that Airbus would support Nigeria with technical assistance, aviation market intelligence, training for pilots and maintenance personnel, and advisory services on Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations.

The partnership will also explore opportunities in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) development and expand training programmes for aviation professionals in Nigeria.

According to Airbus, Africa is projected to require about 1,490 new passenger and cargo aircraft by 2044, alongside more than 20,000 pilots, 20,000 maintenance engineers, and 21,000 cabin crew to meet rising air travel demand.

The MoU is expected to support Nigeria’s broader ambition to position itself as a key aviation hub in Africa, with emphasis on job creation, skills development, and industry growth.

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