The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is currently leading a high-powered Nigerian delegation on a four-day bilateral working visit to France.
According to a statement from the Special Assistance to the Minister on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the visit, tagged the Nigeria France Bilateral Business Forum, aims at strengthening cooperation and exploring business opportunities in the aviation sector between both nations.
Accompanied by esteemed CEOs and directors from various Nigerian aviation agencies, including the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Captain Chris Najomo, and Engr. Faruk Umar of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the delegation embarked on a thorough aviation business exploration across key cities including Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, and Orly.
The bilateral business meeting commenced today, Tuesday, March 5th, with Minister Keyamo meeting with the Director General of the French Civil Aviation, Damien Caze, and his team. Minister Keyamo presented a compelling roadmap for the Nigerian aviation industry, emphasising the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and inviting private investors to participate in this endeavour.
During the session, stakeholders from the Nigerian delegation, including the Managing Directors of FAAN and NAMA, as well as the acting Director General of NCAA, delivered insightful presentations on topics ranging from aircraft financing and insurance to the modernisation of navigational equipment and capacity building initiatives.
The French aviation stakeholders, including PROAVIA, ASTech Paris Region, and BPI France, expressed keen interest in partnering Nigeria, acknowledging the country’s vast potential in the aviation industry.
Vice President of AerCap, Gad Wavomba, also pledged to explore business opportunities with Nigeria, citing the country’s attractiveness for investment.
Other stakeholders who added their voices were the Managing Director of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Adenike Aboderin who spoke on the economic potentials of partnering the Nigerian Cargo business, while the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi also threw more light on aircraft leasing and the benefits of investing in the giant of Africa, a country of 240million people reputed to be Africa’s commercial nerves.
Other Nigerians on the delegation were prominent figures from the aviation sector such as Chairman of Bristow Helicopters, Emmanuel Fubara, and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ibom Air, George Urensi, among others.
Other prominent participants at the ongoing Nigeria France business forum are the COO of Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide, Managing Director, Kasi Heathcare Helicopters, Osholowu Gbolahan, Chairman and CEO of SkyJet Aviation and Barbidos Group, Shettima Kashim Bukar, Managing Director, XJet Aviation, Iza Emmanuel Abuya, Chairman, Azman Air, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, Managing Director, NG Eagle, Gaya Kabiru, Founder/CEO, Green Africa, Afolabi Babawande, and Chairman of Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Seinde Folorunsho, among others.
According to the statement the delegation from Paris will proceed to Marseille, visit the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, and conclude the business discussions in Orly with an audience with the management of Thales.
Keyamo expressed optimism about the outcomes of the visit, stating, “We are confident that this bilateral engagement will pave the way for fruitful collaborations and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation industry.”