Nigeria Leads Africa with Nearly 240 Private Jets, Says Festus Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that Nigeria now has the largest private jet fleet in Africa, with nearly 240 private aircraft currently in operation across the country.

Keyamo made the announcement during a strategic meeting with Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Inc. in Montreal, where both parties discussed plans to establish a major aircraft maintenance, repair and service centre in Nigeria.

According to the minister, the proposed facility is expected to significantly reduce the volume of foreign exchange spent on maintaining Nigerian-owned aircraft overseas. He added that the project would create skilled employment opportunities, strengthen the country’s aviation technical capacity and position Nigeria as a regional hub for business aviation services.

“Nigeria officially has the highest number of private jets in Africa, with nearly 240 presently operating within the country, and so much foreign currency is repatriated weekly from the country for the maintenance of these aircraft,” Keyamo said.

The minister noted that the engagement forms part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation reform agenda aimed at modernising Nigeria’s aviation sector through strategic partnerships with leading global aircraft manufacturers, while enhancing operational efficiency and boosting the industry’s long-term growth.