Nigeria has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boeing, aiming to bolster the capabilities of Nigerian airlines in leasing new aircraft and receiving enhanced maintenance and technical support.
The agreement, which was signed in Seattle on Wednesday by Nigerian Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and top Boeing executives, is set to provide Nigerian airline operators with a range of support services from Boeing, including planning workshops, training, technical assistance, and comprehensive assessments.
Boeing, a leading global aircraft manufacturer, currently supplies 60 airlines with over 500 airplanes across Africa. The company projects that the continent will need 1,170 new airplanes over the next two decades.
Under the terms of the MOU, Boeing’s Airports Engineering team will also offer consultations to either open new or expand existing airport facilities throughout Nigeria. Additionally, Boeing will provide advisory services aimed at developing local aircraft maintenance infrastructure.
“This partnership with Boeing represents a significant milestone in our efforts to modernize and enhance the capabilities of Nigerian airlines,” Minister Keyamo stated.
Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales for Africa, highlighted the importance of the agreement, calling it a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria.