Nigeria Leads Africa In Private Jet Fleet, Says Keyamo
Nigeria has the largest fleet of private jets in Africa, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has said, describing the country’s strong business aviation market as a strategic advantage for expanding partnerships with global aircraft manufacturers and strengthening the aviation sector.
Keyamo made the remark during a strategic engagement with leading aircraft manufacturers in Montréal, Canada, after a working visit to Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the visit concluded a series of engagements with four major aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)—Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier—aimed at improving Nigerian airlines’ access to modern aircraft, financing opportunities and technical support.
The minister said Nigeria’s growing business aviation industry positions the country as a key player in Africa’s aviation landscape.
He noted that the large number of privately owned aircraft in Nigeria presents an opportunity to deepen collaboration with aircraft manufacturers, create new business opportunities for local operators and accelerate the growth of the country’s aviation industry.
Keyamo said the Federal Government remains committed to connecting Nigerian operators directly with leading aircraft manufacturers to facilitate fleet modernisation, improve safety standards, enhance operational efficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of the aviation sector.
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 industry stakeholders.
During the visit, the delegation toured Bombardier’s manufacturing and aircraft completion facilities, where they received presentations on aircraft maintenance systems, pilot and technical training, digital aviation technologies, aftermarket services and aircraft acquisition solutions.
Bombardier, one of the world’s leading business aircraft manufacturers, produces the Challenger and Global series of executive jets while also providing aircraft completion, maintenance, training and technical support services.
The Federal Government said the engagements are expected to open opportunities in fleet renewal, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, engineering support, aviation training, technical capacity development and aerospace technology transfer.
It added that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms designed to encourage Nigerian operators to acquire newer, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft while strengthening partnerships with manufacturers, aircraft financiers and lessors.
According to the government, the engagements with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier underscore the Tinubu administration’s efforts to reposition Nigeria as Africa’s preferred aviation hub through strategic global partnerships, private-sector collaboration and sustainable reforms.
