Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has announced plans to commence the construction of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility in Lagos in September. The project, expected to be completed within 12 to 15 months, will significantly boost Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, disclosed this on Wednesday upon his return from Brazil, where he accompanied President Bola Tinubu on an official visit to strengthen bilateral ties and sign a direct air service agreement between Nigeria and Brazil.
“We are increasing our partnership with Embraer. By September 17, we are going to inaugurate the commencement of construction of our new MRO, and Embraer will operate maintenance for Embraer jets,” Onyema said. “By God’s grace, we will lay that foundation here in Lagos.”
The new facility will eliminate the need to fly Embraer aircraft abroad for maintenance, saving time and cost. “You will now be able to do it here, and people will also come to Nigeria to do the same,” Onyema added.
The MRO is being developed in partnership with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, as part of a collaboration between the company and the airline. Onyema clarified that Air Peace’s recent endorsement to operate the Nigeria-Brazil route was not solely due to its investment in Embraer, but rather its proven capacity and readiness among local airlines.
The airline is expected to launch the Brazil route in the third quarter of 2025, following official endorsements by both President Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Onyema expressed optimism that the development would foster stronger economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
“In Brazil, they signed several MoUs, but what really impressed me was their partnership approach, one that respects our sovereignty and is mutually beneficial,” he noted. “President Lula’s warmth showed a genuine eagerness to work with Nigeria.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, extolled the leadership of President Tinubu in achieving the partnership. He highlighted the economic importance of the new air agreement between Africa and South America’s largest economies.
“Brazil is the biggest economy in South America, and of course, Nigeria is considered the biggest economy in Africa. So connecting these two economies was very key to both presidents,” Keyamo said.
He noted that bilateral trade between the two countries had declined significantly in the past decade, falling from $10bn to $2bn, and described the new flight connection as a vital step in reversing that trend.
