Keyamo seals Airbus deal in France

By Philippine Duru

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Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has secured new partnership deals with Airbus and leading aviation institutions in France following the Federal Government’s approval of a national aircraft leasing company aimed at supporting domestic airlines.

The agreements were reached during a strategic working visit to France by a Nigerian aviation delegation led by the minister as part of efforts to expand aircraft access, strengthen technical capacity, and attract investment into Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The delegation included officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), representatives of the private sector, and a seven-member team from Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) alongside 7Star Global Hangar.

During the visit, the Nigerian team toured Airbus narrow-body and wide-body aircraft assembly facilities as well as helicopter production plants in Toulouse and Marseille. Airbus executives showcased the company’s latest aviation technologies and expressed interest in expanding investment opportunities in Nigeria and the broader West African market.

As part of the discussions, Keyamo secured opportunities for Nigerian aviation institutions, including IBUAM, to collaborate with Airbus on student exchange programmes, technical training, and manpower development initiatives.

The minister also reached an understanding with Airbus to create a framework that would enable Nigerian airlines to access modern aircraft through a sovereign guarantee arrangement approved by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden faced by domestic carriers in acquiring new aircraft and improve fleet modernisation across the country’s aviation industry.

Ibom Air, one of Nigeria’s leading domestic carriers, has already benefited from the ongoing arrangement, having received two aircraft under the programme, with two additional brand-new aircraft expected to be delivered soon.

Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, commended the Federal Government and Airbus for supporting the airline’s expansion plans.

IBUAM also held separate talks with École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC), one of Europe’s leading aerospace universities and a major supplier of technical manpower to Airbus, over a proposed strategic partnership focused on aviation education and research.

Reacting to the development, the founding Chancellor of IBUAM, Isaac Balami, praised Keyamo’s leadership and the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the aviation sector.

“With people like the Honourable Minister in the saddle, we are sure of a better industry,” Balami said.

Balami University was among the 11 new private universities recently approved by the National Universities Commission and has already commenced academic activities, admitting students from within and outside Nigeria into its aviation-focused programmes.

The latest development follows the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council for the establishment of a national aircraft leasing company designed to help Nigerian airlines gain easier access to modern fleets through more flexible financing structures.

Keyamo had earlier described the initiative as a major policy shift that would transform how Nigerian airlines finance and acquire aircraft.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adamu, commended the Federal Government for creating new opportunities to improve the aviation industry and praised Airbus for its willingness to partner with Nigeria.