President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Airbus’ proposal to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria, while urging faster delivery of attack helicopters to strengthen national security and position the country as a regional aviation hub.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed a proposal by Airbus to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria, describing the initiative as a strategic step toward transforming the country into a regional aerospace and aviation services hub.
The President made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with an Airbus delegation led by Thierry Cloutet on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
President Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of supporting military operations, logistics, and broader national development priorities, particularly amid ongoing efforts to tackle security challenges in parts of the country.
He told the delegation that his administration was committed to deepening cooperation with Airbus by leveraging the company’s expertise in military aviation and aerospace development.
A major aspect of the discussions centred on Nigeria’s security requirements, with the President calling for accelerated delivery of the three AH-64 Apache helicopters already ordered to strengthen counterterrorism and military operations.
“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” President Tinubu said.
The meeting also explored Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 platform and broader defence aviation cooperation between the country and Airbus.
Discussions further covered aircraft leasing and financing options, including export credit arrangements, sale-and-lease-back models, and long-term financing solutions designed to improve airlines’ access to aircraft and address financing constraints within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In a move aimed at strengthening aviation financing and unlocking investment opportunities, President Tinubu also discussed the possibility of establishing an aviation leasing company to expand value across Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem and support domestic operators.
Thierry Cloutet commended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and efforts to stabilise the aviation industry, reaffirming Airbus’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s long-term aerospace ambitions.
According to Cloutet, Airbus is proposing what he described as a “360-degree engagement” model with Nigeria that extends beyond aircraft supply.
The proposed partnership would cover commercial aviation, military aircraft cooperation, maintenance infrastructure, operational hubs, human capital development, and sustainability initiatives.
Cloutet added that the engagement model would also include collaboration in satellite technology and Earth observation systems, aligning with Nigeria’s wider aviation modernisation agenda and technological advancement goals.
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