Keyamo unveils XEJet MRO facility, announces plans for aircraft company

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility spearheaded by XEJet.

Keyamo also announced plans to launch an aircraft manufacturing company soon.

He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of XEJet’s flight support and engineering hub launch in Abuja on Monday.

“Very soon, we are going to return here for the groundbreaking ceremony of an aircraft manufacturing company.”

The announcement aligns with the Federal Government’s aviation development agenda, as emphasized by Keyamo.

He said, “This aligns with our administration’s vision to support local operators. We have been seeking to attract MROs to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem, and XEJet’s initiative is a significant step forward.”

Keyamo highlighted the government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for projects like this, including partnerships with indigenous banks and the involvement of top-tier construction companies.

“We will be here with you(XEJet) throughout, from beginning to end. Our technical teams and regulatory bodies will ensure that what we have here is world-class,” he assured.

The minister expressed confidence that the facility would attract users from across the West African sub-region, leveraging Nigeria’s large population, economy, and aviation traffic. “This is just the beginning. Nigeria is big enough to support and sustain such ambitious projects. We are proud to be associated with this,” he concluded.

Also speaking at the event is the Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza, who described it as much more than a maintenance and repair operation that will position Nigeria on the global map of aviation innovation.

“The vision is to put Nigeria on the map of aircraft manufacturers. Even if we cannot produce an entire aircraft, we aim to contribute components like wings, landing gears, or tyres,” Iza said. He emphasized that Nigeria has the talent and ability to achieve such goals, provided the enabling environment and facilities are in place.

Iza revealed that XEJet employs nearly 300 people, and the new facility could increase this number by three to four times. He outlined the project’s phased approach, starting with a $5m investment for ground preparation, taxiways, and aprons, followed by an equally significant investment in structural development.

The facility will include a private terminal for business aviation with world-class amenities, including a conference centre, pilot accommodations, and safety-compliant crew quarters. It will also feature a separate access route from Bill Clinton Way, allowing exclusive entry for business aviation passengers.

“This isn’t just an MRO. It’s an engineering centre designed to make Nigeria a player in the list of Original Equipment Manufacturers.

“If we can’t produce an Airbus A380, we should at least produce components that contribute to it,” Iza added.