PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES AIRBUS PLAN FOR MAINTENANCE HUB IN NIGERIA, SEEKS FASTER DELIVERY OF ATTACK HELICOPTERS

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By: Muftau Fatimo

President Bola 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 aerospace and aviation services hub.

Tinubu also stressed Nigeria’s urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to support security operations, logistics and national development initiatives amid ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in parts of the country.

The President spoke on Thursday 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.

He told the delegation that his administration was committed to strengthening relations with the aircraft manufacturer by leveraging its expertise in military aviation and aerospace development.

Tinubu also called for the accelerated delivery of the three Apache helicopters already ordered by Nigeria to support ongoing counter-terrorism and security operations nationwide.

“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” the President said.

Discussions during the meeting also focused on Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 aircraft platform, broader defence aviation cooperation, 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 operators.

The President further discussed the possibility of establishing an aviation leasing company in Nigeria to enhance financing opportunities and unlock value within the country’s aviation sector.

Cloutet commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s aviation industry, reaffirming Airbus’ commitment to supporting the country’s long-term aerospace development goals.

He also proposed a “360-degree engagement” model with Nigeria covering commercial aviation, military aircraft cooperation, human capital development, sustainability initiatives, operational hubs and maintenance infrastructure.

According to Cloutet, the proposed collaboration would also include satellite and Earth observation initiatives.