President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed strong support for Airbus's proposal to set up maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria, as part of efforts to develop the country as a regional aerospace hub. During a meeting in Kigali with Airbus representatives, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s urgent need for modern attack helicopters to bolster security and combat terrorism. The government has already ordered three Apache helicopters, which Tinubu urged Airbus to deliver promptly, emphasizing their importance for security operations.
The President also discussed broader cooperation, including the acquisition of Airbus C-295 aircraft and strategies to improve financing for Nigeria's aviation sector. Airbus’s delegation proposed a comprehensive "360-degree engagement" to include commercial and military aviation, human resource development, sustainability, and satellite collaboration. Such initiatives aim to stabilize and modernize Nigeria’s aviation industry and enhance security capabilities, supporting ongoing efforts to address security challenges across the nation.
In closing, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with Airbus and exploring new avenues such as establishing a domestic aviation leasing company. Airbus’s representative, Thierry Cloutet, praised Nigeria’s economic reforms and expressed support for the country’s aerospace development goals, indicating a shared vision for future growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
