Tinubu welcomes Airbus proposal for aircraft maintenance hub in Nigeria, demands faster delivery of attack helicopters

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed a proposal by Airbus to establish aircraft maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria as part of efforts to position the country as a regional aviation and aerospace services hub.

The President also called for the accelerated delivery of attack helicopters ordered by Nigeria to strengthen ongoing counterterrorism and security operations across the country.

According to a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Friday, Tinubu made the remarks during a meeting with an Airbus delegation led by Thierry Cloutet, Head of Regional Business Growth for Africa and the Middle East, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

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Tinubu said his administration was committed to deepening cooperation with Airbus by leveraging the company’s expertise in military aircraft and aerospace development. “Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” the President stated.

He stressed the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of supporting security operations, logistics and broader national development priorities.

The meeting also focused on Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft platform and wider defence aviation cooperation between both parties.

Discussions further covered aircraft leasing and financing models, including export credit arrangements, sale-and-lease-back structures and long-term financing solutions aimed at improving access to aircraft for domestic airlines and reducing financing constraints in the aviation sector.

President Tinubu also discussed the possibility of establishing an aviation leasing company in Nigeria to unlock opportunities within the country’s aviation value chain and improve financing access for local operators.

Cloutet commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and efforts aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He reaffirmed Airbus’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s long-term aerospace and aviation development objectives.

According to Cloutet, Airbus proposed what he described as a “360-degree engagement” model with Nigeria covering commercial aviation, military aircraft cooperation, human capital development, sustainability initiatives, operational hubs and maintenance infrastructure.

The proposed partnership is also expected to include collaboration in satellite technology and Earth observation systems.