The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, has raised concerns that Nigeria risks losing aviation jobs, investments, and business to emerging aviation hubs in neighbouring countries. He made this statement during his welcome address at the 67th anniversary of Aero Contractors at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. Sanusi emphasized that the aviation sector should be treated as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism, job creation, and foreign investment.
Sanusi pointed out that the emergence of competing airports and maintenance facilities outside Nigeria should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers to reposition the aviation industry. He cited the example of a new mega airport and major maintenance hub being developed just across Nigeria's border, which is being positioned to serve the Nigerian market. This development, Sanusi argued, should prompt the government to give the aviation sector a deliberate strategic focus.
The Aero Contractors MD appealed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to champion a renewed strategic focus on aviation under the Federal Government's Renewed Hope agenda. Sanusi stressed that if Nigeria fails to respond strategically, it risks losing its airports, hangars, jobs, and investments to foreign hubs. He emphasized that the aviation industry has demonstrated its potential as a powerful engine of economic development in several countries.
Sanusi highlighted Aero Contractors' readiness to partner with the government in achieving a renewed strategic focus on aviation. He noted that recent investments in airport infrastructure have demonstrated the potential of aviation to transform Nigeria's gateways. Additionally, Sanusi recalled some of the most difficult periods in Aero Contractors' 67-year history, including periods when its aircraft were grounded and employees went months without pay.
Aero Contractors has evolved into an integrated aviation enterprise with various services, including scheduled passenger operations, charter and rotary-wing services, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, and pilot training. Its MRO facility currently serves 16 carriers in Nigeria, West and Central Africa, and beyond. The airline's continued operations, Sanusi said, are a result of resilience by its management and staff.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, pledged that the Federal Government would continue to support the growth of the aviation industry. He called on other indigenous airlines to emulate Aero Contractors. The Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Gbenga Alade, expressed satisfaction that the corporation's investment in Aero Contractors had paid off and promised continued support.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, congratulated Aero Contractors on its anniversary, noting that the theme of the celebration resonated with the global observance of International Customer Service Week. Najomo emphasized that aviation is ultimately driven by human trust, which remains central to safe and reliable air travel.
Key points
- Nigeria risks losing aviation jobs and investments to foreign hubs without a strategic focus on the sector.
- Aero Contractors is ready to partner with the government to achieve a renewed strategic focus on aviation.
- The aviation industry can serve as a powerful engine of economic development when deliberately supported by the government.