The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has announced that the airline’s N32 billion Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria.
Onyema made this known during the groundbreaking ceremony for the project at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday.
He explained that the facility, which sits on 34,000 square metres of land acquired eight years ago, will serve Air Peace aircraft as well as those of other local and international airlines.
According to Onyema, the MRO, expected to be completed within 24 months, will attract foreign investment into Nigeria’s aviation sector and reduce reliance on overseas facilities.
He noted that limited maintenance slots abroad had forced several African airlines to South Africa for servicing, a trend the new hub aims to reverse.
He disclosed that the facility will handle Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and private jets, while also providing specialized services such as brakes, wheels, and battery shops.
The airline has also signed a partnership with Brazil’s Embraer to enable maintenance of its aircraft type from across the globe in Nigeria.
Onyema stressed that the project will help curb capital flight, noting that Nigerian airlines spent over N180 billion on maintenance abroad last year alone.
He said the MRO would operate independently, servicing both domestic carriers and international operators.
The Air Peace chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who, according to him, has enhanced global visibility for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He said the current administration has restored ease of doing business and created conditions that encourage private sector investments in aviation.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives of the Bank of Industry, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank, and other financial partners.
The lenders reaffirmed their support for the project, with Fidelity Bank disclosing the creation of a dedicated aviation desk to back industry initiatives.
The site covers 32,000 square metres and will feature a 6,150 clear space hangar capable of accommodating a Boeing 777ER, a 5,000 square metre apron, 2,800 square metres of storage, 1,500 square metres for workshops, and a four-storey office building.
Onyema emphasized that beyond job creation, the project would position Nigeria as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance, attract foreign airlines, and contribute positively to the nation’s foreign exchange.