NIGERIA has the potential to become a leading aviation and aerospace hub in Africa due to its population, strategic location, skilled workforce, and private sector involvement.
However, Air Vice Marshal A. A. Suleh, Air Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Air Force’s Logistics Command in Ikeja, highlighted at an Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineers (INAE) conference that challenges such as dependence on foreign maintenance, lack of certified spares, high costs, outdated infrastructure, and training gaps hinder profitability.
Suleh proposed a six-point strategy to overcome these issues, including developing a national aviation strategy, enhancing the MRO ecosystem, reinforcing safety standards, encouraging local component production, engaging engineers with practical challenges, and investing in digital management systems.