Tinubu Welcomes Airbus Plan for Aircraft Maintenance Hub in Nigeria, Seeks Faster Delivery of Attack Helicopters
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed a proposal by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria as part of efforts to position the country as a regional aviation and aerospace services hub.
The President also stressed the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to strengthen security operations, logistics and national development initiatives across the country.
Tinubu spoke during a meeting with an Airbus delegation led by Thierry Cloutet, Head of Regional Business Growth for Africa and the Middle East, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President said his administration was committed to deepening cooperation with Airbus, particularly in military aviation and aerospace development.
Tinubu specifically called for the accelerated delivery of three Apache helicopters already ordered by Nigeria to support ongoing counterterrorism and security operations.
“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” the President said.
Discussions at the meeting also covered Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 aircraft platform, defence aviation partnerships, aircraft leasing and financing arrangements, including export credit options and long-term financing models aimed at easing constraints in the aviation sector.
The President further explored the possibility of establishing an aviation leasing company to improve financing access for domestic airlines and unlock opportunities within Nigeria’s aviation value chain.
Cloutet commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and efforts to stabilise the aviation sector, while reaffirming Airbus’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s long-term aerospace ambitions.
He proposed what he described as a “360-degree engagement” with Nigeria covering commercial aviation, military aircraft cooperation, human capital development, sustainability initiatives, maintenance infrastructure, operational hubs, as well as satellite and Earth observation collaboration.
