Nigeria’s Foreign Minister has urged Airbus to establish an aircraft maintenance hub in the country, aiming to position Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s aviation industry. The request was made during an official visit to the Airbus Operations Facility in Getafe, Madrid, where discussions focused on expanding Airbus’ investment beyond aircraft sales into local aviation infrastructure.
The minister engaged with top Airbus executives, including Juan Sell, Head of Public Affairs, Spain, and Luis Hernánperez Fernández, VP, Head of Sales, Africa. The talks highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance as a regional air transport and security hub, making it a prime location for Airbus to set up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. Such an investment would help address maintenance challenges that currently force Nigerian airlines to send aircraft abroad for servicing, increasing costs and operational downtime.
Airbus officials presented their aircraft models suited for Nigeria’s transport, humanitarian, and defence needs, with particular emphasis on the C295, a multi-purpose aircraft that can support various missions. However, the minister emphasized the need for Airbus to go beyond selling aircraft and actively invest in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. By setting up a maintenance hub, Airbus would not only enhance the reliability of aircraft operations in Nigeria but also create jobs, train local engineers, and contribute to the country’s long-term aviation growth.
A maintenance hub would also align with Nigeria’s broader economic agenda, supporting its drive to attract foreign investment, strengthen local industries, and reduce dependence on overseas facilities for critical aircraft servicing. The minister further proposed that Airbus consider future possibilities such as aircraft assembly and manufacturing in Nigeria, which could make the country a leader in aviation technology on the continent.
Airbus executives expressed interest in deepening engagement with Nigeria and acknowledged the country’s potential as a key aviation market in Africa. The visit concluded with a guided tour of Airbus’ maintenance facilities, where the Nigerian delegation observed the company’s technical capabilities and discussed potential models for a future partnership.
If Airbus agrees to establish an MRO facility in Nigeria, it could mark a turning point for the country’s aviation industry, reducing operational costs for airlines, improving air safety, and positioning Nigeria as a hub for aircraft maintenance in West Africa.
