By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Nigeria’s aviation industry is on the verge of a major transformation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent two-day state visit to Brazil has yielded a landmark agreement between Air Peace and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for the establishment of a world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos.
For decades, Nigerian airlines have faced the burden of ferrying aircraft abroad for heavy maintenance checks, incurring high costs and experiencing prolonged operational delays. Industry operators have consistently decried the absence of a domestic MRO facility, noting that the situation undermines efficiency and drains foreign exchange. With this new agreement, Nigeria is poised to reposition itself as an aviation hub in Africa.
Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, who was part of the Presidential delegation to Brazil, disclosed the development to journalists upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday. He was accompanied by key officials, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; the Minister of Information and Orientation, Muhammed Idris; and the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Onyema announced that the foundation-laying ceremony for the hangar would take place on September 17, 2025, in Lagos. He explained that construction is expected to be completed within 12 to 15 months, with Embraer providing technical and maintenance support.
“We are increasing our partnership with Embraer, and by September 17, we will lay down the foundation for the maintenance hangar. Within 12 to 15 months, that hangar will be ready for operations,” Onyema said. “This is not just for Nigeria; other African countries will also bring their aircraft here. We are no longer going to do maintenance checks outside the country.”
The Air Peace boss commended President Tinubu’s role in creating a business-friendly environment that made the deal possible. “The government removed obstacles that have long hindered progress in our industry. For that, we are grateful,” he added.
Beyond the MRO project, Onyema emphasized the broader impact of Tinubu’s diplomatic engagement with Brazil. According to him, the visit has opened up new vistas of opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism between the two countries.
“Today, you can connect Nigeria to Brazil in just seven hours instead of spending two days flying across the world. This single achievement changes the dynamics of connectivity between both nations. The visit has laid the foundation for a partnership that respects our sovereignty and is mutually beneficial, not parasitic,” Onyema remarked.
He also revealed plans for Air Peace to expand its footprint across South America and the Caribbean, building on its recent international successes. “The Brazilian story is like the Nigerian story. We share many similarities. Air Peace will not only service Brazil but the entire South American continent. On September 1, I will be meeting the Vice President of Colombia because they too are eager for a partnership. They believe Air Peace can deliver, given our record in the Caribbean,” he said.
The agreement is widely regarded as one of the most tangible outcomes of Tinubu’s South American trip. Aviation experts have described it as a potential game-changer that could save Nigeria millions of dollars annually, create jobs, and position Lagos as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance.
President Tinubu, who returned to Abuja at 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, concluded a two-week foreign tour that took him to Japan and Brazil. He was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by top officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; ministers and special advisers.
The President had departed Abuja on August 15, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before heading to Yokohama, Japan. There, he attended the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) from August 20 to 22. At the summit, he held bilateral meetings with world leaders and engaged with executives of major Japanese firms investing in Nigeria.
Following his engagements in Japan, Tinubu proceeded to Brasilia on the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both leaders explored avenues for stronger economic cooperation, with multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed across sectors ranging from aviation and agriculture to technology transfer and cultural exchange.
Analysts say the MRO deal is a symbol of the kind of partnerships Tinubu is keen to promote — agreements that not only bring foreign investment but also empower Nigeria to become self-sufficient and competitive on the global stage.
As Onyema put it: “This is the dawn of a new era. Nigeria will soon be the destination for aircraft maintenance in Africa. And this all started with the President’s vision to open Nigeria up to genuine, respectful partnerships.”
