Air Peace Begins Construction of Africa’s Largest Aircraft Maintenance Hub
In a landmark stride for Nigeria’s aviation industry, Air Peace, West and Central Africa’s biggest airline, has broken ground on what is set to become Africa’s largest Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
The project, located within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, is expected to redefine aircraft servicing in the region, stem capital flight, and transform Nigeria into a continental hub for aviation maintenance.
The colourful groundbreaking ceremony drew top dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, as well as executives of the Bank of Industry, Fidelity Bank, aviation regulators, and other industry stakeholders.
Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, described the event as a long-awaited milestone. “This is the fulfilment of a nine-year dream,” he said. “We paid for this land eight years ago, but bureaucratic and administrative bottlenecks delayed progress. Today, thanks to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister Festus Keyamo, we are able to lay this foundation. My joy knows no bounds.”
Onyema emphasised that Nigerian airlines spend billions of dollars annually on overseas maintenance. “Last year alone, more than $180 billion left this country for maintenance and spare parts. This MRO will reverse that trend,” he explained. “It will service not just Air Peace but also other Nigerian carriers and foreign airlines. Within 24 months, Nigeria will start attracting direct foreign investment as airlines across Africa, Europe, and the Americas bring their aircraft here.”
According to contractors Morgan Omonitan & Abe, the project will cover 32,000sqm and include:
A 6,200sqm hangar capable of accommodating a Boeing 777 and five other aircraft simultaneously.
A 2,000sqm warehouse, 2,600sqm workshop, and 1,500sqm office complex.
A 10,000sqm apron for aircraft parking, alongside support infrastructure such as a car park, equipment shade, utility buildings, and landscaped grounds.
Technical support will be provided by Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, ensuring that the facility operates at global standards. Beyond infrastructure, the MRO is expected to generate more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, while training engineers and technicians who will drive the future of Nigeria’s aviation.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, lauded the collaboration between the airline and its financial partners. “What we have achieved here with Fidelity Bank, Dr Allen Onyema, and Air Peace is a genuine strategic alliance,” she said, pledging the bank’s continued support.
Fidelity Bank’s Executive Director, Mr Abolore Solebo, also praised the foresight of Air Peace. “It was on the strength of Air Peace’s vision that we created the first dedicated aviation desk in Fidelity Bank. All Nigerian airlines have since benefited from it, and we will continue to support the sector.”
In his remarks, Minister Festus Keyamo described the MRO as a “national treasure” with far-reaching implications. “This hangar will save us billions in foreign exchange, attract foreign airlines, and create opportunities for Nigerians on a scale we have never seen. It is not just Air Peace’s day, but Nigeria’s day,” he declared.
The Minister also revealed that the Presidential Fleet would make use of the facility, calling it the “cheapest and most effective option for government.” He stressed that the administration remained committed to supporting indigenous airlines to grow into regional and global players.
Onyema, rounding off his speech, described the MRO as a revolution in the making. “This is not just about laying a stone,” he said. “It is about proving that Nigeria believes in itself, that indigenous companies can invest boldly, and that we are ready to claim our place in the global aviation industry.”
As Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace has already demonstrated a strong commitment to youth empowerment and job creation through initiatives such as its Graduate Trainee Programme.
The MRO project is expected to expand these opportunities, ensuring that the benefits ripple through families, communities, and the wider economy.
With construction now underway, Nigeria’s aviation sector is set on a path that could redefine its future – one where the country evolves from a maintenance-dependent market to a maintenance hub for Africa and beyond.
