Photo caption: Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo,, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the ₦32 billion Air Peace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Facility at the international wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA), Lagos, on September 17, 2025.
…To Go Into Operation In 24 Months
…Projected To Create 50,000 Jobs
Air Peace, the largest airline in West and Central Africa sub regions has commenced a groundbreaking inauguration of a ₦32 billion Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA), Lagos.
The development signals a bold and deliberate step not to only put an end to the ferrying of aircraft abroad for maintenance but will also help in transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector .
Officially, the gigantic MRO facility is scheduled to be completed and ready for use in 24 months.
The completion of the project will be the beginning of the positioning of Lagos, Nigeria the country as a continental hub for aircraft maintenance and will also reduce capital flight associated with maintaining Nigeria’s airplanes abroad.
From the projection of the promoter, the MRO is expected to create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, train young engineers and technicians while securing technical support from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, and ensuring operations meet global standards.
The MRO project will be seating on 34,000 square meters of land.
Present at the landmark event is the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, executives of Fidelity Bank, the Bank of Industry, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA,), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other aviation stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the 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,”
He assured that the Presidential Fleet would also patronise the MRO when completed , saying that it is the “best option for government.”
Onyema, who spoke shortly after the foundation laying ceremony, the project is a fulfillment of a nine-year dream.
According to him, “My joy knows no bounds.”
“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.” the Sir Peace boss said.
Onyema stated that Nigerian airline opetators 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 to attract foreign investments.
“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,” Onyema said.
Also speaking, the 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.
The Executive Director at the Bank of Industry,Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Commended the partnership with Air Peace.
According to her, “We have formed a strategic alliance with Air Peace and Fidelity Bank, and we will continue to support this industry,”
Fidelity Bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Abolore Solebo, on his part, said that Air Peace’s vision encouraged to the bank to establish Nigeria’s first aviation desk.
According to him, “We thank you for that vision, and we will keep supporting this sector.”
The MRO facility when completed will accommodate a Boeing 777 and five additional aircraft at once, making it one of Africa’s largest and will reduce the hitherto dependence on facilities in Brazil, South Africa and Ethiopia.
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