After FG approval of aircraft leasing company, Keyamo seals landmark Airbus deal in France
Nigerian Delegation Secures Agreements with Airbus During Visit to France
A delegation from Nigeria’s aviation sector, led by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, has finalized agreements with Airbus and other aviation entities in France. This visit comes as part of ongoing efforts to establish a national aircraft leasing company aimed at bolstering domestic airlines.
The delegation, which included representatives from the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and various public and private sector stakeholders, visited Airbus facilities in Toulouse and Marseille. The group comprised officials from Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) and 7Star Global Hangar.
During the tour, delegates explored Airbus’ narrow-body and wide-body aircraft assembly lines, as well as helicopter manufacturing sites. Executives from Airbus showcased their latest technologies and expressed interest in expanding investment opportunities in Nigeria and the broader West African aviation market.
Keyamo’s visit resulted in collaborations for IBUAM and other Nigerian institutions with Airbus to implement student exchange programs and enhance capacity development. Additionally, an agreement was reached for partnerships to provide Nigerian airlines access to new aircraft through a sovereign guarantee, as approved by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Previously, Ibom Air received two aircraft through this initiative, with two more expected soon.
George Uriesi, Managing Director of Ibom Air, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the Nigerian government and Airbus. IBUAM also engaged in discussions with the École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) in France, a significant provider of technical talent for Airbus, to establish a strategic partnership.
Isaac Balami, founding Chancellor of IBUAM, praised Keyamo’s leadership and the initiatives aimed at revitalizing the aviation industry. Balami University is among the 11 private universities recently accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and is admitting students from Nigeria and abroad.
The Federal Government’s recent approval for a national aircraft leasing company is expected to transform how Nigerian carriers acquire and finance their aircraft, a major focus during a recent Federal Executive Council meeting.
At the conclusion of the visit, Mahmud Adamu, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, thanked the Nigerian government for its support and commended Airbus for its readiness to collaborate with Nigeria’s aviation sector.
