Air Peace Deepens Collaboration with Embraer to Power Lagos MRO Project

Nigeria’s aviation industry is on the cusp of a defining moment as Air Peace, the nation’s largest carrier, sets September 17, 2025, for the groundbreaking of its long-anticipated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos. The project, slated for completion within 12 to 15 months, is poised to redefine how Nigerian and regional airlines manage fleet operations.

Ending Decades of Dependence

For years, one of the industry’s greatest challenges has been the absence of a full-service aircraft maintenance hub within Nigeria. Airlines were forced to ferry planes to Europe, the Middle East, or South Africa for heavy checks—a process that drained foreign exchange, caused long downtimes, and often crippled smaller carriers.

Industry experts say this practice not only inflated operational costs but also contributed to the collapse of many local airlines unable to cope with the financial burden.

By taking the bold step to establish an MRO in Lagos, Air Peace is signaling a new era. “By September 17, we will inaugurate the construction of our MRO in Lagos. By God’s grace, this will stop the culture of sending Embraer jets abroad for maintenance,” said Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace. “You will now be able to do it here, and people from other countries will also come to Nigeria for the same service.”

Brazilian Partnership and Presidential Backing

Onyema disclosed the development shortly after returning from Brazil, where he was part of the Nigerian delegation led by President Bola Tinubu. The visit was a landmark one, resulting in a direct air service agreement between Nigeria and Brazil, signed with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

During the trip, Air Peace deepened its collaboration with Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, which will partner in managing the Lagos MRO. This partnership aligns seamlessly with the carrier’s growing fleet of Embraer jets.

Onyema emphasized that the airline’s recent endorsement to operate the Nigeria–Brazil route was not simply a reward for its Embraer investments but rather recognition of its proven capacity and reliability among Nigerian airlines.

Aviation as an Economic Connector

The Nigerian government is equally upbeat about the implications of this dual breakthrough—the MRO facility and the Brazil route. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, praised President Tinubu’s leadership in securing the agreements.

“Brazil is South America’s largest economy, while Nigeria is Africa’s biggest. Connecting these two economies is not just about flights—it is about economics, diplomacy, and culture in motion,” Keyamo said. He noted that bilateral trade between the countries had slumped drastically, from $10 billion in previous years to just $2 billion today. Restoring direct connectivity, he argued, was a “vital step in reversing the downward trend.”

From Struggles to Solutions

Looking back, Nigeria’s aviation sector has been marred by recurring crises—high operational costs, inadequate infrastructure, and an overdependence on foreign services. These hurdles, industry watchers say, left the country trailing behind peers like Ethiopia and South Africa, which built robust aviation hubs decades ago.

The lack of an MRO in Nigeria, in particular, became a symbol of lost opportunities. Airlines folded under the weight of expenses, while passengers bore the brunt of frequent disruptions. Many questioned whether Nigeria could ever become an aviation hub.

Air Peace’s initiative is therefore being hailed as a turning point. Analysts describe it as a “corrective move” that addresses one of the sector’s most persistent weaknesses, while also positioning Nigeria as a regional hub where airlines from across West and Central Africa could bring their fleets for maintenance.

Looking Ahead

Beyond technical benefits, the Lagos MRO is expected to generate jobs, conserve foreign exchange, and inspire confidence in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. If delivered on schedule, the project will mark a legacy milestone not only for Allen Onyema but also for President Tinubu’s broader economic diplomacy agenda.

For Nigeria, the project reflects a shift from dependency to self-reliance and regional leadership. For Africa, it signals the rise of a new aviation hub capable of shaping continental connectivity.

As Onyema put it, the development is both practical and symbolic: “It is not just about Air Peace; it is about Nigeria showing the world that we can take charge of our skies.”