Lagos, Nigeria – Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has officially commenced the construction of a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The project, valued at ₦32 billion, is expected to significantly reduce the billions of naira lost annually to foreign exchange outflows for aircraft maintenance abroad.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the project as a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“What this MRO facility is going to save in terms of forex is incredible. Air Peace alone spent about ₦180 billion on aircraft maintenance abroad in one year. That is money that should have stayed within our economy,” Keyamo lamented.
“With this facility, not only will Nigeria retain such funds, but we will also attract foreign airlines to service their aircraft here, thereby generating foreign inflows.”
Onyema: Nigeria to Host Africa’s Largest MRO
Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, revealed that the hangar—covering 34,000 square meters—will be completed in approximately 15 months. Designed to handle wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, the facility will be the largest MRO in Africa, capable of accommodating one Boeing 777 and five smaller aircraft simultaneously.
Onyema stressed that the project would revolutionize Nigeria’s aviation industry:
“We expended over ₦180 billion on maintenance abroad last year alone. The amount of capital flight is alarming. With this MRO, airlines from across the world will be able to service their planes in Nigeria. This is not just for Air Peace—it will be an all-inclusive hub, supported by Embraer, to also handle private jets and other aircraft.”
He further highlighted that the project will generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, train engineers and technical staff, and include specialized workshops for brakes, wheels, and batteries.
BOI Pledges Support
The Bank of Industry (BOI) has pledged its backing for the project. Mrs Ifeoma Uzokpala, Executive Director, Large Enterprises at BOI, said the initiative would not only save foreign exchange but also create massive employment opportunities for Nigerians.
“When the MRO is ready, Nigerian airlines will no longer need to fly abroad for maintenance. We are proud to partner with Air Peace on this landmark project and will continue to provide our support,” Uzokpala stated.
Why It Matters
Currently, most Nigerian airlines spend billions annually on overseas aircraft servicing, contributing to a drain on foreign reserves. With the establishment of this MRO, Nigeria is set to become a regional hub for aviation maintenance, attracting both local and international airlines while strengthening indigenous aviation businesses.