President Bola Tinubu has launched a renewed call for both local and international investors to take advantage of what he described as Nigeria’s “ready and rising” aviation opportunities.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the FAAN National Aviation Conference in Lagos, the President noted that aviation has become a central pillar of his administration’s economic growth strategy and one of Africa’s most promising investment frontiers.
Tinubu said the conference theme, “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership and Global Engagements,” aligns with his broader agenda to boost job creation, expand trade, and strengthen regional connectivity.
He outlined several ongoing improvements in the sector, including the completion of new terminals in Lagos and Port Harcourt, rehabilitation of airports nationwide, expansion of cargo infrastructure, and enhanced regulatory capacity. These reforms, he said, are part of a deliberate effort to position Nigeria as West Africa’s top logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub.
However, the President stressed that government alone cannot deliver the next phase of sectoral development.
He announced a series of reforms designed to attract more private capital—ranging from simplified regulations and improved transparency to targeted incentives for investors in airport development, aircraft leasing, aviation training and aviation-focused real estate.
Describing Nigeria as one of Africa’s most attractive yet under-tapped aviation markets, President Tinubu cited the country’s large population, strategic geographical location, and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as strong guarantees for investor profitability.
He highlighted major growth areas such as cargo operations, agro-export, MRO services, charter operations and smart airport development, describing the opportunities as “real, scalable and open.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safety, efficiency and sustainable airport technologies, President Tinubu assured stakeholders that the future of Nigerian aviation is “bright, secure and full of promises.”
Writing by Nosa Aituamen