Nigerian Airlines Face $2 Billion Overseas Maintenance Bill by 2026

Nigerian airlines are projected to spend over $2 billion on aircraft maintenance overseas by 2026, a significant capital outflow occurring despite the presence of local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. Current Nigerian MROs include Aero Contractors’ Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO), 7 Star Global Hangar, and Execujet Aviation Group, yet carriers continue to ferry their aircraft abroad for major checks. This reliance on foreign services is deemed financially crippling and operationally inefficient by industry experts. The primary reason for this trend is the insufficient capability of local MROs to conduct major checks on diverse aircraft types, coupled with a shortage of trained and experienced manpower and specialized tooling. Captain Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, highlighted the need for facilities to build trust and acquire the capacity for complex services like engine, auxiliary power unit (APU), and landing gear overhauls. Aero Contractors is actively addressing these gaps by equipping its facility, training technical personnel, and acquiring necessary tooling to service Boeing B737 Classics, B737-700, B737-800 NGs, Embraer, Bombardier, and Airbus aircraft. Isaac Balami, MD/CEO of 7Star Global Hangar Limited, underscored the economic impact, noting that over $1 billion is currently expended on overseas maintenance, representing a substantial capital flight from Nigeria. He emphasized the potential to create over 25,000 local jobs through domestic maintenance capabilities and advocated for increased local personnel training and collaboration among Nigerian MROs to share tools and equipment. George Uriesi, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, reiterated the importance of local maintenance for foreign exchange savings and technical skill development. Looking ahead, Air Peace is expected to complete its MRO facility at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport by 2027. This new development is anticipated to significantly reduce the need for Nigerian carriers to send their aircraft overseas for maintenance, fostering greater self-sufficiency within the West African aviation sector.