Sanusi Urges Deeper Government Support for Private Aviation as Bala Usman Tours Aero Contractors’ MRO Facility
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and private sector operators in Nigeria’s aviation industry, saying such partnerships are critical to accelerating the industry’s growth and enhancing its contribution to the nation’s economic development.
Sanusi made the appeal during a visit by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Hadiza Bala Usman, to Aero Contractors’ facilities, where she undertook an extensive inspection of the airline’s operations, including its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre.
The presidential aide was received by the airline’s management and taken on a guided tour of the company’s engineering and maintenance facilities.
During the visit, she expressed particular interest in understanding the operational capabilities of the MRO centre and explored ways in which government policies could support indigenous aviation businesses, expand their capacity and strengthen the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking after the visit, Sanusi described Aero Contractors’ MRO facility as a strategic national asset that has continued to provide maintenance support to airlines not only in Nigeria but also across West and Central Africa.
“It was an honour to welcome Hadiza Bala Usman to Aero Contractors,” Sanusi said. “I had the pleasure of taking her on a tour of our operations, particularly our Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul centre, which continues to position Aero Contractors as a strategic aviation asset capable of supporting operators across West and Central Africa.”
He commended Bala Usman for her keen interest in the aviation sector, noting that although she does not have an aviation background, she demonstrated an impressive grasp of policy formulation, institutional development and performance management throughout the visit.
According to Sanusi, what distinguished the engagement was her willingness to ask probing questions and seek practical solutions that could help create an enabling environment for aviation businesses to flourish.
He said the visit underscored the importance of regular engagement between government officials and industry stakeholders, stressing that meaningful interaction would help policymakers better understand the challenges confronting operators while developing policies that encourage investment and sustainable growth.
Sanusi maintained that closer cooperation between government and the private sector would create the right conditions for businesses to expand, generate employment and contribute more significantly to national development.
“When public servants engage directly with stakeholders, ask the right questions and focus on practical solutions, they help create the environment in which businesses thrive and contribute even more to national development,” he said.
The Aero Contractors boss also expressed appreciation to the presidential adviser for visiting the airline, wishing her success in her national assignment and expressing optimism that committed public officials would help shape a brighter future for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He added that with public servants who are thoughtful, rigorous and focused on delivering results, the prospects for both the aviation sector and the country’s overall development remain encouraging.
Aero Contractors, in a statement after the visit, said the engagement provided an opportunity to showcase the company’s technical competence and reaffirm its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s aviation industry through engineering excellence, innovation and strategic collaboration.
The airline said its MRO facility remains one of the country’s most important aviation engineering centres, providing maintenance solutions for domestic and regional airlines while helping to reduce dependence on overseas maintenance facilities.
According to the company, Bala Usman expressed admiration for the sophisticated equipment and highly trained personnel she encountered during the inspection, recognising the facility’s role in strengthening aviation safety and operational efficiency.
The airline noted that the maintenance centre is backed by decades of engineering expertise and operates in line with internationally recognised standards, supported by a team of highly skilled professionals committed to delivering quality aircraft maintenance services.
It added that every aircraft handled by the MRO facility reflects Aero Contractors’ unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence and the continued advancement of the African aviation industry.
The visit is expected to further strengthen dialogue between government and private aviation stakeholders as efforts continue to improve Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, encourage indigenous technical capacity and position the country as a leading aviation maintenance hub in Africa.
