Groundbreaking: Air Peace’s MRO to end capital flight, project Nigeria as aviation hub in Africa

In 2024, Nigerian airlines are said to have spent over $180 billion on overseas maintenance and spare parts. This capital flight is expected to end when Air Peace’s state-of-the-art of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) begins operations.

With the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 777 and five other aircraft simultaneously, the MRO will be the largest facility of its kind in Africa, reducing Nigeria’s reliance on similar infrastructure in South Africa and Ethiopia.

At the groundbreaking of the MRO facility at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Thursday, September 17, 2025, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, who graced the ceremony,  gave assurance that the Presidential Fleet would patronize it because it is the “cheapest, most effective, and best option for government.”

Festus 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,” Keyamo declared. “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.”

The ceremony was also attended by bank executives, Fidelity Bank and other financial partners, aviation regulators, and distinguished stakeholders.

Speaking earlier, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, described the event as the fulfillment of a nine-year dream delayed only by procedural and administrative hurdles. “My joy knows no bounds,” Onyema declared. “We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our indefatigable Minister of Aviation, Honorable 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.”

Dr. Onyema underscored the economic significance of the project, noting that Nigerian airlines spent over $180 billion last year on overseas maintenance and spare parts. “This MRO will change that narrative,” he stated. “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.”

Dr. Onyema ended his remarks on a visionary note: “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.”

The project contractors, Morgan Omonitan & Abe, said 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, ensuring global-standard operations.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, hailed the collaboration between Air Peace and its financial partners 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 remarked, pledging continued support for Air Peace and the wider aviation sector.

Fidelity Bank’s representative, Executive Director. 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 assured.

As Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace continues to champion job creation and youth empowerment. Its recent Graduate Trainee Program has already opened doors for young Nigerians to build rewarding careers in aviation. With this MRO facility, the airline will create thousands of new jobs while reaffirming its commitment to national growth and ensuring that the benefits of this landmark project are felt across families, communities, and the entire nation.