The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, on Monday, January 20, 2025, attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Xejet’s state-of-the-art Flight Support and Engineering Hub.
Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering a conducive business environment for private sector growth:
“Our vision is to support the growth and development of local operators like this. Since we came to the office, we have been shouting about the issue of Maintenance, Repairs and Operations (MROs), that we’d like to attract MROs into our aviation ecosystem, as they exist in other parts of the world.
“And so, we have gone to the far end of the earth, looking for investors, to come and invest in our MRO facilities, and, here we are, as they say, what you’re looking for in Sokoto, is inside your Sokoto.
“Now, we have an Indigenous operator, collaborating with Indigenous banks, supporting this dream, and he’s not just giving us an MRO as he said, there are other facilities, including a training centre and all, they’re here.
“This is a huge achievement; the concept alone, getting the backing and bringing it to fruition like this, to start off work, with one of the best construction companies we have, is a dream come true”, Keyamo said.
In his speech, Xejet CEO Emmanuel Iza highlighted the transformative potential of the facility.
“This facility, whose foundation we lay today, is not just going to be a center; it is a symbol of our commitment to innovation and expansion.
“It represents our pledge to elevate aviation services in Nigeria to global standards.
“Through cutting-edge technology, superior engineering, and unparalleled flight support, Xejet seeks to not only improve operational efficiencies but deliver an exclusive experience that sets us apart in the industry.
“The establishment of this facility is a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s role as a leader in the continent’s aviation future.
“By investing in infrastructure and capabilities, we aim to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a hub of connectivity, commerce, and tourism”, he explained.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, said on Tuesday that, the project, which would be constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was being partnered by Zenith Bank and Fidelity Bank, reflecting strong confidence from the financial sector in Xejet’s vision and Nigeria’s aviation potential.
The event, which marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector, was also graced by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, and the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku among others.
The ceremony featured the symbolic shovel in the ground tradition with the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Najomo, and later the Minister – a gesture signifying the commencement of the project.