Ime Akpan
There was an air of jubilation yesterday at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, as the foundation was laid for the construction of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility belonging to Air Peace.
The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo, executives of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Fidelity Bank and other financial partners, aviation regulators, and aviation stakeholders attended the sod turning ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema said the facility is a landmark project set to revolutionise Nigeria’s aviation sector, curb capital flight and position the country as a continental hub for aircraft maintenance.
He said the event “is the fulfillment of a nine-year dream delayed only by procedural and administrative hurdles.
“My joy knows no bounds. We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and…Festus Keyamo. In less than one year, they made it possible for us to stand here today. This is the first time Nigerian airlines are receiving massive support, and we at Air Peace are proud to be part of this history.”
Onyema underscored the economic significance of the project, noting that Nigerian airlines spent over $180 billion in 2024 on overseas maintenance and spare parts.
“This MRO will change that narrative. It will not only service Air Peace aircraft but also those of other Nigerian and international airlines. In the next 24 months, Nigeria will begin attracting direct foreign investment, as airlines from Africa, Europe, and the Americas bring their aircraft here,” he said.
Furthermore, he remarked: “This is more than a foundation stone, it is a revolution. It is a statement that Nigeria believes in itself, that indigenous investment can thrive, and that we are ready to take our place on the global aviation stage.”
For his part, Keyamo described the project as a “national treasure” with impact reaching far beyond Air Peace.
“This is not just Air Peace’s day; it is Nigeria’s day. This hangar will save us billions in foreign exchange, attract foreign airlines to Nigeria, and create unprecedented opportunities for our people. For the first time in decades, confidence has returned to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. That is why I personally stood as guarantor to secure aircraft leases for Air Peace and why I will continue to support all local airlines to grow.”
He further assured that the presidential fleet would also patronise the MRO, saying “it is the cheapest, most effective, and best option for government.”
Also speaking, , the executive director at the Bank of Industry (BoI), Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’okpala hailed the collaboration between Air Peace and its financial partners, describing it as a “truly strategic alliance.
“What has happened between us, Fidelity Bank, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Air Peace is that we formed a strategic partnership.” she said.
For his part, executive director at Fidelity Bank, Mr Abolore Solebo, also praised Air Peace’s vision and affirmed the bank’s commitment to the partnership.
“It was on the back of Air Peace’s idea and vision that Fidelity Bank established a proven first aviation desk. We thank you for that, and we will continue to work together. All other airlines have benefited from this, and we will keep supporting the industry,” he declared.
According to Morgan Omonitan & Abe, the project contractors, the facility will occupy 32,000 square meters and feature a 6,200sqm hangar, a 2,000sqm warehouse, a 2,600sqm workshop, a 1,500sqm office building, and a 10,000sqm apron for aircraft parking.
Additional infrastructure will include a car park, equipment shade, security house, utility and transformer buildings, and landscaped grounds, covering another 9,700sqm.
The facility is projected to generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, train a new generation of engineers and technicians, and significantly reduce capital flight.
Technical support will be provided by Embraer of Brazil to ensure global-standard operations. With the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 777 and five other aircraft simultaneously, the MRO is expected to be the largest facility of its kind in Africa and will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on similar infrastructure offshore to maintain its aircraft.
