Air Peace has broken ground on a ₦32bn Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, signaling a bold step to transform aviation in Nigeria.
The MRO facility is officially scheduled to be completed and ready for operations within 24 months. It will position the country as a continental hub for aircraft maintenance and reduce capital flight.
The project is also expected to generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. It will train young engineers and technicians while securing technical support from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, ensuring operations meet global standards.
The groundbreaking, held on September 17, 2025, unfolded on 34,000 square meters of land. The event attracted the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, executives of Fidelity Bank, the Bank of Industry, aviation regulators, and other stakeholders.
Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, described the project as the fulfillment of a nine-year dream. “My joy knows no bounds,” Onyema said
“We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the support of President Bola Tinubu and Minister Festus Keyamo. In less than one year, they made it possible for us to stand here today.”
Dr. Onyema emphasized the economic importance of the MRO facility. He revealed that Nigerian airlines spent over $180 billion last year on foreign maintenance and spare parts.
“This MRO facility will change that narrative,” he stated. “It will service not only Air Peace but also local and foreign airlines. In the next 24 months, Nigeria will begin attracting foreign investments.”
According to project contractors Morgan Omonitan & Abe, the MRO facility will feature a 6,200sqm hangar, 2,600sqm workshop, 2,000sqm warehouse, 1,500sqm office block, and 10,000sqm apron for aircraft parking. Supporting infrastructure will include a car park, utility buildings, and landscaped grounds covering another 9,700sqm.
Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, praised the partnership with Air Peace. “We have formed a strategic alliance with Air Peace and Fidelity Bank, and we will continue to support this industry,” she affirmed.
Fidelity Bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Abolore Solebo, noted that Air Peace’s vision led to the bank establishing Nigeria’s first aviation desk. “We thank you for that vision, and we will keep supporting this sector,” he said.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the facility as a “national treasure.” He explained that the MRO will save Nigeria billions in foreign exchange and attract international carriers.
“This is not just Air Peace’s day; it is Nigeria’s day. For the first time in decades, confidence has returned to our aviation ecosystem,” Keyamo said. He added that the Presidential Fleet would also patronize the MRO, calling it the “best option for government.”
The new MRO facility will accommodate a Boeing 777 and five additional aircraft at once, making it Africa’s largest of its kind. This will reduce dependence on facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia.
Dr. Onyema concluded with optimism: “This is more than a foundation stone, it is a revolution. It is a statement that Nigeria believes in itself and is ready to take its place on the global aviation stage.”
As Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace continues to invest in national growth. Its Graduate Trainee Program has already empowered young Nigerians to pursue aviation careers. With the launch of this MRO facility, Air Peace is reaffirming its commitment to job creation, economic growth, and the transformation of the Nigerian aviation sector.
