Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has officially launched the construction of a world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The project, valued at ₦32 billion, is expected to transform the aviation sector by ending the long-standing practice of Nigerian airlines flying abroad for major aircraft servicing.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the initiative as a game-changer for the industry. He expressed concern over the staggering amounts domestic carriers spend overseas on aircraft maintenance, highlighting that Air Peace alone spent about ₦180 billion in 2024.
“What this facility is going to save in foreign exchange for the country is extraordinary. These are monies that should stay within our economy but instead are sent out. With this hangar, not only will we retain that money, but we will also attract foreign inflows as international airlines bring their aircraft here for servicing,” Keyamo said.
Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, emphasized the scale and significance of the project. He explained that the MRO, which sits on 34,000 square meters of land, is designed to handle wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777. Once completed within the next 15 months, the facility will be the largest of its kind in Africa, capable of simultaneously servicing a Boeing 777 and five additional aircraft.
Onyema also noted that the project will significantly reduce capital flight and create thousands of jobs.
“We spent over ₦180 billion on overseas maintenance last year. With this MRO, Nigeria will reverse that trend, while also attracting airlines from across the world to Lagos. The facility will be inclusive, catering to both commercial planes and private jets, with technical support from Embraer. It will create more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Ifeoma Uzokpala, Executive Director of Large Enterprises at the Bank of Industry (BOI), reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the project. She said the facility would not only help reduce foreign exchange spending but also boost employment and industrial growth.
“When this MRO becomes operational, Nigerian airlines will no longer need to fly abroad for major maintenance checks. The employment opportunities, the forex savings, and the long-term benefits to our economy are immense. That is why we are proud to partner with Air Peace on this landmark project,” she stated.
The Air Peace MRO, once operational, is expected to reposition Nigeria as a hub for aircraft maintenance in Africa, reducing dependency on foreign facilities while boosting confidence in indigenous aviation investments.
