L-R: Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, Chief Operating Officer, COO, Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace and Barr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Africa’s largest MRO, which would be the toast of aviation globally
Planned capacity is to take on one Boeing 777 and Five Others simultaneously.
** The state-of-the-art hangar is being built on a sprawling 34,000 square meters of land
** The facility will save Nigeria’s air transport industry’s annual maintenance cost of over USD180 billion
** Hangar to begin maintenance, repairs, & overhaul services in 24 months
** When in full operation, the hangar would generate 50,000 direct and indirect jobs
Air Peace has officially commenced construction of its state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, a landmark project poised to revolutionise Nigeria’s aviation sector, curb capital flight, and position the nation as a continental hub for aircraft maintenance.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, 17th of September 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, unfolded on a sprawling 34,000 square meters of land and was graced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, executives of the Bank of Industry, Fidelity Bank and other financial partners, aviation regulators, and distinguished stakeholders.
Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr Allen Onyema, described the event as the fulfilment of a nine-year dream delayed only by procedural and administrative hurdles. “My joy knows no bounds,” Onyema declared.
“We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our indefatigable Minister of Aviation, Barr Festus Keyamo. In less than one year, they made it possible for us to stand here today. This is the first time Nigerian airlines are receiving massive support, and we at Air Peace are proud to be part of this history,” Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer enthused.
Dr Onyema underscored the economic significance of the project, noting that Nigerian airlines spent over $180 billion last year on overseas maintenance and spare parts.
(L-R) Barr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, (M) adorned a Fedora hat; Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace; Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, Chief Operating Officer, COO, Air Peace, surrounded by mgt staff and other distinguished guests at the historic groundbreaking ceremony, Wednesday, 17th Sept ’25
Hence, he explained that “This MRO will change that narrative. It will not only service Air Peace aircraft but also those of other Nigerian and international airlines. In the next 24 months, Nigeria will begin attracting direct foreign investment, as airlines from Africa, Europe, and the Americas bring their aircraft here.”
According to Morgan Omonitan & Abe, the project contractors, the facility will occupy 32,000 square meters and feature a 6,200 square meters hangar, a 2,000 square meters warehouse, a 2,600 square meters workshop, a 1,500 square meters office building, and a 10,000 square meters apron for aircraft parking.
The contractor’s spokesperson revealed that, “Additional infrastructure will include a car park, equipment shade, security house, utility and transformer buildings, and landscaped grounds, covering another 9,700sqm”.
The facility is projected to generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, train a new generation of engineers and technicians, and significantly reduce capital flight. Technical support will be provided by Embraer of Brazil, ensuring global-standard operations.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, BOI, hailed the collaboration between Air Peace and its financial partners as a truly strategic alliance. “What has happened between us, BOI, Fidelity Bank, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Air Peace is that we formed a strategic partnership,” she remarked, pledging continued support for Air Peace and the wider aviation sector.
An MRO, a microcosm of the proposed Air Peace’s macrocosm of the hangar, which is soon to emerge in Lagos
Fidelity Bank’s representative, an Executive Director, Mr Abolore Solebo, also praised Air Peace’s vision and gave assurance of the bank’s commitment to the partnership.
Solebo said “It was on the back of Air Peace’s idea, and vision, that Fidelity Bank established a proven first aviation desk. We thank you for that, and we will continue to work together. All other airlines have benefited from this, and we will keep supporting the industry,” he promised.
On his own part, Barr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, described the project as a “national treasure” with impact reaching far beyond Air Peace.
Keyamo declared, “This is not just Air Peace’s day; it is Nigeria’s day. This hangar will save us billions in foreign exchange, attract foreign airlines to Nigeria, and create unprecedented opportunities for our people.
With the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 777 and five other aircraft simultaneously, the MRO will be the largest facility of its kind in Africa, reducing Nigeria’s reliance on similar infrastructure in South Africa and Ethiopia.
Dr Onyema ended his remarks on a visionary note: “This is more than a foundation stone, it is a revolution. It is a statement that Nigeria believes in itself, that indigenous investment can thrive, and that we are ready to take our place on the global aviation stage.”
The Minister announced that, “for the first time in decades, confidence has returned to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. That is why I personally stood as guarantor to secure aircraft leases for Air Peace and why I will continue to support all local airlines to grow.”
He further assured that the Presidential Fleet would also patronize the MRO, calling it the “cheapest, most effective, and best option for government.”
The media statement reiterated that Air Peace will continue to champion job creation and youth empowerment, citing that Air Peace’s recent Graduate Trainee Program has already opened doors for young Nigerians to build rewarding careers in aviation.
It is believed that with the MRO facility, the airline will create thousands of new jobs while reaffirming its commitment to national growth and ensuring that the benefits of this landmark project are felt across families, communities, and the entire nation.
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