Group photograph of guests after the foundation laying ceremony

West and Central Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, has officially broken ground on its state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, a landmark project set to revolutionize Nigeria’s aviation sector, curb capital flight, and position the nation as a continental hub for aircraft maintenance.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held today, September 17, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, unfolded on a sprawling 34,000 square meters of land and was graced by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, executives of the Bank of Industry, Fidelity Bank and other financial partners, aviation regulators, and distinguished stakeholders.

Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, described the event as the fulfillment of a nine-year dream delayed only by procedural and administrative hurdles.

“My joy knows no bounds,” Onyema declared. “We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our indefatigable Minister of Aviation, Honorable Festus Keyamo.”

“ In less than one year, they made it possible for us to stand here today. This is the first time Nigerian airlines are receiving massive support, and we at Air Peace are proud to be part of this history.”

Dr. Onyema underscored the economic significance of the project, noting that Nigerian airlines spent over $180 billion last year on overseas maintenance and spare parts.

“This MRO will change that narrative,” he stated. “It will not only service Air Peace aircraft but also those of other Nigerian and international airlines. In the next 24 months, Nigeria will begin attracting direct foreign investment, as airlines from Africa, Europe, and the Americas bring their aircraft here.”

According to Morgan Omonitan & Abe, the project contractors, the facility will occupy 32,000 square meters and feature a 6,200sqm hangar, a 2,000sqm warehouse, a 2,600sqm workshop, a 1,500sqm office building, and a 10,000sqm apron for aircraft parking.

Additional infrastructure will include a car park, equipment shade, security house, utility and transformer buildings, and landscaped grounds, covering another 9,700sqm.

The facility is projected to generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, train a new generation of engineers and technicians, and significantly reduce capital flight. Technical support will be provided by Embraer of Brazil, ensuring global-standard operations.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, hailed the collaboration between Air Peace and its financial partners as a truly strategic alliance.

“What has happened between us, Fidelity Bank, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Air Peace is that we formed a strategic partnership,” she remarked, pledging continued support for Air Peace and the wider aviation sector.

Fidelity Bank’s representative, Executive Director. Mr. Abolore Solebo, also praised Air Peace’s vision and affirmed the bank’s commitment to the partnership.

“It was on the back of Air Peace’s idea and vision that Fidelity Bank established a proven first aviation desk. We thank you for that, and we will continue to work together. All other airlines have benefited from this, and we will keep supporting the industry,” he assured.

The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the project as a “national treasure” with impact reaching far beyond Air Peace. “This is not just Air Peace’s day; it is Nigeria’s day,” Keyamo declared. “

This hangar will save us billions in foreign exchange, attract foreign airlines to Nigeria, and create unprecedented opportunities for our people. For the first time in decades, confidence has returned to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

“That is why I personally stood as guarantor to secure aircraft leases for Air Peace and why I will continue to support all local airlines to grow.”

“ He further assured that the Presidential Fleet would also patronize the MRO, calling it the “cheapest, most effective, and best option for government.”

With the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 777 and five other aircraft simultaneously, the MRO will be the largest facility of its kind in Africa, reducing Nigeria’s reliance on similar infrastructure in South Africa and Ethiopia.

Dr. Onyema ended his remarks on a visionary note: “This is more than a foundation stone, it is a revolution. It is a statement that Nigeria believes in itself, that indigenous investment can thrive, and that we are ready to take our place on the global aviation stage.”

As Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace continues to champion job creation and youth empowerment. Its recent Graduate Trainee Program has already opened doors for young Nigerians to build rewarding careers in aviation.

With this MRO facility, the airline will create thousands of new jobs while reaffirming its commitment to national growth and ensuring that the benefits of this landmark project are felt across families, communities, and the entire nation.