In the heart of Lagos, the maiden Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition & Investment Summit recently wrapped up, drawing airlines, lessors, financiers, regulators, and global stakeholders eager to shape the future of Nigeria’s skies.
Titled “Unlocking Capital, Confidence and Capacity in Nigeria Aviation Industry,” the two-day event couldn’t have come at a better time. For years, poor aircraft financing has held back local carriers, limiting fleet renewal, route expansion, and overall competitiveness.
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But fresh government reforms and bold private-sector moves are now changing the narrative, positioning Nigeria as West and Central Africa’s rising aviation hub.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo set the tone in his keynote, framing aircraft financing as a national priority rather than a private headache for airlines.
“Under President Bola Tinubu, deliberate steps have de-risked the sector through stronger legal frameworks. Nigeria’s full embrace of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol—including the September 2024 Federal High Court.
“These practical changes lower leasing costs, boost safety ratings, and make dry-lease arrangements far more attractive.”
Keyamo also pointed to the successful clearance of 98 percent of trapped airline funds, a move that has restored liquidity and rebuilt international trust.
“Capital does not chase opportunity alone,” he noted. “It chases bankable certainty, and Nigeria is delivering exactly that.”
Compliment
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, painted a compelling picture of strong returns for operators and lessors.
“Nigeria’s youthful population, diversified economy, and strategic geography create genuine demand for both passenger and cargo services. Despite global headwinds, the sector shows resilience through rising load factors and recovering routes.
“FAAN is opening doors to investment across aeronautical and non-aeronautical areas—terminal upgrades, modern cargo and logistics hubs, airport-adjacent commercial real estate, maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and aviation training centres.”
Aftermath
Stakeholders left the summit energized by tangible deliverables.
Plans for a Nigerian Aircraft Leasing Company, supported by institutions such as Afrexim Bank, further signal government commitment.
Combined with ongoing airport modernisation and local MRO development, these efforts aim to capture the full value chain from acquisition to maintenance and training.
As Nigeria stands at the threshold of a new aviation era, the Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition & Investment Summit has clearly signalled readiness to global partners.
With continued reforms, investor-friendly policies, and collaborative public-private partnerships, the country’s skies are set to become busier, safer, and more economically vibrant. For those ready to invest, the runway is wide open.
