President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed a proposal by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria, as part of efforts to position the country as a regional hub for aerospace and aviation services.
The President also stressed the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to strengthen Nigeria’s security operations, logistics, and broader national development goals.
Tinubu spoke during a recent 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.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President said his administration was determined to deepen Nigeria’s partnership with Airbus by leveraging the company’s expertise in military aircraft and aerospace development.
Tinubu specifically called for the accelerated delivery of three Apache helicopters already ordered by Nigeria to aid ongoing counterterrorism and security operations across the country.
“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” the President said.
The discussions also covered Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 aircraft platform, broader defence aviation cooperation, and new financing models aimed at improving airlines’ access to aircraft.
The proposed financing structures include export credit arrangements, sale-and-lease-back options, and long-term aircraft financing solutions designed to ease funding constraints within the aviation sector.
Tinubu further explored 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.
In his remarks, Cloutet commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s aviation industry, while reaffirming Airbus’ commitment to supporting the country’s long-term aerospace ambitions.
He also 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.
