Dublin: Some Nigerian stakeholders on Tuesday in Dublin, Ireland, canvassed for the establishment of aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Nigeria. They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sideline of the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Global, holding in Dublin, Ireland.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Global event commenced on Jan. 12 and is expected to end on the 15. The event, which is part of Airline Economics Week, focuses on the latest developments and trends in the global aviation industry, with particular emphasis on the finance and leasing of aviation assets. Some of the stakeholders opined that establishing MRO in Nigeria would help reduce Forex required for overseas maintenance by local airlines as well as create jobs for some unemployed.
Mr Herbert Odika highlighted that a MRO in Nigeria will reduce foreign exchange (Forex) required for overseas maintenance by the local airlines. He emphasized the significance of the convention as an opportunity for Nigerian carriers to negotiate for dry lease agreements. With airlines, banks, insurance companies, regulators, and government officials present, there is a platform for lessors to reach agreements with some carriers. However, Odika raised questions about Nigeria’s maintenance culture and the role of banks in ensuring compliance with service agreements. He noted that having the MROs in Nigeria would be beneficial to the airlines irrespective of the risk assessments that would be carried out, adding that some carriers in Nigeria had proven to be credible when it comes to keeping to agreed terms.
Similarly, Mrs Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, stated the importance of prioritising MRO establishments to create jobs and save costs in Nigeria. Usman, represented by Mr Hendrix Odigie, Delivery Manager, Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) at the event, described MRO as a critical component of the aviation industry which ensures that the aircraft remain safe, reliable, and operationally efficient. She emphasized that developing a strong local MRO capability is essential for Nigeria as the country looks to expand its aviation sector, particularly with plans to adopt dry leasing arrangements with Boeing.
Usman added that building a local MRO would save costs for airlines, enhance operational efficiency, and support the local economy by creating jobs and building technical expertise. She also stated that strengthening local MROs aligned with the broader goal of reducing capital flight and fostering self-reliance in the aviation sector. Commending the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, for streamlining regulatory frameworks to attract investment into MRO facilities, she highlighted efforts to establish Nigeria as a hub for MRO services in Africa. The initiatives aim to provide the infrastructure needed to support dry leasing operations, reduce costs, and boost local capacity. The CDCU is working on sustaining these policies beyond the current administration to ensure long-term benefits for the Nigerian aviation sector.