Nigeria Has Africa's Largest Private Jet Fleet, Says Keyamo

Nigeria currently operates the largest fleet of private jets in Africa, according to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who says the country's expanding business aviation market presents a major opportunity to strengthen partnerships with leading global aircraft manufacturers and accelerate the growth of the aviation sector.

Keyamo made the remarks on Saturday in Montréal, Canada, during the Federal Government's strategic engagement with major aircraft manufacturers following a working visit to Bombardier's Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre.

The visit concluded a series of high-level meetings with four of the world's leading aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier as part of efforts to improve Nigerian airlines access to modern aircraft, financing opportunities and technical support.

According to a statement issued by the Minister's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the engagements form part of the Federal Government's broader strategy to modernise Nigeria's aviation industry and strengthen indigenous airline operations.

Speaking during the visit, Keyamo said Nigeria's business aviation sector has grown into one of the continent's largest, creating significant opportunities for collaboration with global aircraft manufacturers.

"Nigeria has the highest number of private jets in Africa. That is a huge market, and we want to leverage that strength to build stronger relationships with manufacturers, create opportunities for our operators and support the overall growth of our aviation industry," the minister said.

He explained that the Federal Government's objective is to establish direct relationships between Nigerian operators and aircraft manufacturers in order to facilitate fleet renewal, improve safety standards and enhance operational efficiency.

"Our objective has always been clear, to connect Nigerian operators directly with the world's leading aircraft manufacturers and create opportunities that will strengthen indigenous capacity, modernise our fleets, improve safety, enhance operational efficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of our aviation industry," Keyamo said.

The Nigerian delegation included the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Nigeria's Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Engr. Mahmoud Sani Ben-Tukur; alongside other government officials and aviation industry stakeholders.

During the visit, officials toured Bombardier's manufacturing and aircraft completion facilities and received detailed presentations on aircraft maintenance systems, pilot and technical training, digital aviation technologies, aftermarket support services and aircraft acquisition solutions.

Bombardier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of business aircraft, producing the Challenger and Global series of executive jets while providing maintenance, training, aircraft completion and technical support services globally.

The Federal Government said the engagements are expected to open new opportunities in fleet modernisation, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, engineering support, aviation training, technical capacity development and aerospace technology transfer.

According to the ministry, the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at encouraging Nigerian operators to acquire newer, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft while strengthening partnerships with manufacturers, aircraft financiers and leasing companies.

The government added that its engagements with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier reflect the Tinubu administration's efforts to position Nigeria as Africa's preferred aviation hub through strategic international partnerships, private-sector collaboration and sustainable reforms.