FG Wraps Up Global Aircraft Manufacturer Talks with Bombardier Visit

Nigeria's Federal Government, led by Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, has now finalized its comprehensive discussions with major global aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) by visiting Bombardier's Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre (LBCC) in Montréal, Canada. This visit by Keyamo, accompanied by Nigerian airline operators, marks the culmination of a pledge made when he took office in 2023 to foster direct partnerships between local carriers and leading aircraft producers worldwide.

This final engagement, which comes after previous meetings with industry giants Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer, is part of a broader government initiative designed to facilitate fleet upgrades, enhance access to aircraft funding, deepen technical collaboration, bolster maintenance capabilities, and ultimately boost the competitive edge of Nigerian airlines.

During his visit, Minister Keyamo reiterated the federal government's dedication to cultivating a supportive operational climate for domestic aviation businesses. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Tunde Moshood, the Minister articulated the administration's vision: “Our objective has always been clear—to connect Nigerian operators directly with the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers and create opportunities that will strengthen indigenous capacity, modernise our fleets, improve safety, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our aviation industry.”

He further noted that Bombardier, a prominent player in business aviation, is renowned for producing its executive Challenger and Global series aircraft, alongside offering top-tier aircraft completion services, maintenance, training, and aftermarket support. This particular engagement aligns perfectly with the Federal Government's ongoing reform efforts aimed at invigorating Nigeria's business and non-scheduled aviation sectors.

The Nigerian delegation, during their time at Bombardier, gained insights into the company's aircraft manufacturing and completion workflows, its robust maintenance support systems, pilot and technical training curricula, advanced digital technologies, comprehensive aftermarket services, and innovative aircraft acquisition strategies. This interaction is anticipated to open new avenues for collaboration across various areas, including fleet modernization, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, engineering assistance, technical skill development, aviation education, and the transfer of aerospace technology.

Furthermore, the visit propelled the Minister’s agenda for fleet modernization forward by promoting the acquisition of newer, safer, and more fuel-efficient aircraft, while simultaneously fortifying alliances between aircraft manufacturers, financiers, lessors, and Nigerian operators. Keyamo emphasized, “The successful completion of strategic engagements with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier underscores the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration to repositioning Nigeria as Africa’s preferred aviation hub through strategic international partnerships, private-sector collaboration and sustainable industry reforms.”

Officials accompanying the Minister on this important trip included Capt. Chris Najomo, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); and Mahmoud Sani Ben-Tukur, Nigeria’s Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), along with other senior government representatives and key industry stakeholders.