The Federal Government has concluded a series of strategic engagements with the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers as part of efforts to secure favourable aircraft acquisition deals for Nigerian airline operators.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening indigenous carriers, modernising the country’s aviation sector and improving access to aircraft financing and advanced aviation technologies.
The final phase of the engagement saw the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, lead a high-level Nigerian delegation to Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montréal, Canada.
According to the minister, the visit was designed to establish direct relationships between Nigerian airline operators and major global aircraft manufacturers, creating opportunities for improved aircraft procurement and long-term technical cooperation.
The Bombardier visit concluded a series of official engagements that also included meetings with Boeing, Airbus and Embraer, completing the government’s outreach to the four leading global aircraft manufacturers.
The 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 Organization (ICAO), Engr. Mahmoud Sani Ben-Tukur, alongside senior government officials, airline operators and other aviation stakeholders.
Keyamo said the engagement fulfilled a commitment he made after assuming office in 2023 to directly connect Nigerian airlines with international aircraft manufacturers in order to improve access to modern aircraft and industry partnerships.
He explained that the government’s strategy focuses on supporting fleet renewal, expanding aircraft financing opportunities, strengthening maintenance capabilities, encouraging technical collaboration and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines in regional and international markets.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies that will promote the growth and long-term sustainability of indigenous airlines, noting that direct collaboration with aircraft manufacturers would help improve safety standards, operational efficiency and fleet modernisation.
He added that closer relationships with aircraft manufacturers would provide Nigerian operators with better financing options, aircraft acquisition opportunities and technical partnerships necessary for sustainable industry growth.
During the visit, members of the Nigerian delegation toured Bombardier’s manufacturing and completion facilities, where they observed aircraft production processes, maintenance infrastructure, pilot and engineering training programmes, digital aviation technologies, aftermarket support services and innovative aircraft acquisition models.
The government believes the engagement will open doors for collaboration in key areas such as fleet modernisation, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, aviation engineering, technical manpower development, aerospace technology transfer and specialised aviation training.
Industry stakeholders also expect the partnerships to improve collaboration between Nigerian airlines, aircraft manufacturers, international financiers and aircraft leasing companies, making it easier for local operators to acquire modern aircraft and overcome financing challenges.
The engagement forms part of the Federal Government’s wider aviation reform agenda, which seeks to encourage the adoption of newer, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft while enhancing the operational performance of Nigeria’s airline industry.
Officials noted that the completion of discussions with Bombardier marks the successful conclusion of the government’s strategic engagement with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier, reinforcing its commitment to transforming Nigeria into a leading aviation hub in Africa through strategic partnerships, private-sector collaboration and sustainable industry reforms.
