The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with a private company, has launched a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to set up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center for aircraft.
A representative from the Ministry of Aviation, who chose to remain unnamed due to a lack of permission to comment on the matter, disclosed details of the agreement. This new facility will operate as an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO), under the supervision of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
According to the source, the AMO, once approved by the NCAA, will carry out essential aircraft maintenance services, including inspections, overhauls, repairs, modifications, and the certification of aircraft or aeronautical products for return to service.
This facility will be the first of its kind in Nigeria, aiming to meet the increasing demand for aircraft maintenance services locally, which currently involves costly and time-consuming trips abroad to access similar services.
The Ministry further explained that the exact schedule for the commencement of construction and operations remains unclear. The facility’s operations will only begin once the NCAA grants all necessary approvals and licenses, as specified in the agreement.
The representative mentioned that while no specific timeline is available, “efforts are underway to finalize the contract and make it operational,” with actions currently in progress to ensure the agreement becomes effective.
In August, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed that plans were finalized to initiate a bidding process for establishing MRO centers within the country. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve aviation infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign MRO services. Keyamo also emphasized the need for a Public-Private Partnership model for this high-capital investment project.
