BY ANTHONY OMOH
Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has renewed calls for greater private-sector participation and investment in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation maintenance ecosystem and retain aircraft servicing locally.
She said this in a session titled Shaping the Future of Air Travel: A Global Airport Perspective at the 2025 ACI‑NA & ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference & Exhibition.
Kuku said the initiative is central to FAAN’s infrastructure renewal programme, designed to reduce dependence on foreign facilities for heavy aircraft checks. She explained that despite ongoing improvements in airport modernization, Nigeria’s lack of comprehensive MRO capacity remains a key weakness in the aviation value chain.
“If you look at Africa, especially West Africa, there’s no single MRO facility that handles comprehensive C and D checks,” Kuku said. “We have maintenance facilities that do A and B checks, but the heavier maintenance work still requires ferrying aircraft abroad. That’s what we’re determined to change.”
Building a Strong Maintenance Ecosystem
According to her, FAAN’s plan is to create a sustainable maintenance ecosystem through collaboration with investors, state governments, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). She said this approach will allow local airlines to conduct full-scale maintenance, reduce operational costs, and retain revenue within Nigeria.
Kuku revealed that FAAN is currently executing a 22 to 24-month capital renewal programme with partial government funding and internally generated revenue. She emphasized that aviation remains highly capital-intensive, making private collaboration crucial for long-term infrastructure sustainability.
“We can’t depend on government funding alone,” she explained. “The private sector must play a role, and we are seeing increased interest from investors who recognize the potential of Nigeria’s aviation market.”
She added that the current reforms have strengthened investor confidence, enabling the development of new MRO zones and expansion of existing hangars. According to her, these facilities will form the foundation of a modern maintenance ecosystem capable of serving both domestic and regional fleets.
“There’s been a large focus on building MRO facilities within the market,” she stated. “We’re also working to ensure there’s a good market for spares as we expand infrastructure. This will make Nigeria a regional hub for maintenance and aircraft support.”
Industry analysts estimate that African airlines spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on maintenance abroad, with most carriers relying on facilities in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Europe. Kuku said this dependence drains foreign exchange and limits local employment opportunities, underscoring the urgency of building a homegrown maintenance ecosystem.
“Our goal is to keep both the work and the revenue in Nigeria,” she said. “We want to build a maintenance ecosystem that employs local engineers and attracts global certification.”
She noted that the vision for aviation infrastructure goes beyond aircraft maintenance, encompassing cargo, logistics, and trade. Nigeria’s growing agribusiness exports, she said, require temperature-controlled facilities and reliable logistics support to strengthen the air cargo value chain.
Kuku maintained that regional hub development must integrate services such as MRO, spares supply, and cargo handling. This, she explained, would ensure that Nigeria’s airports evolve into fully functional commercial and technical centers capable of supporting sustainable growth.
She also linked FAAN’s efforts to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), explaining that local MRO capacity will help improve fleet turnaround and enhance reliability for African carriers. “When airlines can maintain their fleets within Africa, turnaround times improve, reliability increases, and we create a sustainable maintenance ecosystem for intra-African connectivity,” she said.
Kuku added that Nigeria’s domestic airlines have begun expanding international operations, citing the new Abuja–Heathrow and Abuja–Gatwick routes as indicators of industry progress. She said such growth must be backed by a solid technical base that allows airlines to sustain international standards.
Beyond technical development, Kuku said FAAN is investing in passenger-focused technology, including e-gates for arrivals and departures and contactless travel systems. She explained that the goal is to build an airport environment that matches travelers’ lifestyles while ensuring operational efficiency.
“We are building an airport environment that matches the lifestyle of our travelers,” she said. “As we modernize, we’re ensuring that our technology solutions are seamless, user-friendly, and aligned with passenger expectations.”
She concluded that sustainable aviation in Nigeria depends on coordinated policy, private investment, and technical development. The establishment of a reliable maintenance ecosystem, she said, is key to achieving competitiveness, safety, and self-reliance in the region’s aviation industry.
“A strong maintenance ecosystem supports safety, enhances airline confidence, and attracts international partnerships,” she said. “With the right focus, Nigeria can become a regional leader in both passenger experience and technical excellence.”
