Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN, Champions Bilateral Cooperation with Airbus
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has continued his bilateral working visit to the headquarters of Airbus in Toulouse Blagnac, France. Welcomed by the esteemed CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, and his distinguished team, Minister Keyamo’s visit marked a pivotal moment in strengthening ties between Nigeria and the global aviation giant.
This is contained in the statement signed by Tunde Moshood, SA Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
During the visit, the Minister and a delegation of Nigerian aviation stakeholders were given an exclusive tour of the Airbus showroom, where they meticulously inspected mock models of various Airbus aircraft, including the A320, A350, and the iconic A380 jumbo jet. Guided by Guillaume Faury himself, the delegation gained invaluable insights into Airbus’ cutting-edge technology and innovation in aircraft manufacturing.
A highlight of the visit was an engaging presentation by top Airbus executives, including Prajyoth Krishna Mirajkar, Airbus’ Sales and Marketing Manager for Africa. The presentation, focused on the future of aviation in Africa, particularly Nigeria, highlighted the immense potential for growth and development in the region. Minister Keyamo and his team were impressed by the well-researched analysis and promising outlook presented by Airbus executives.
Recognizing Nigeria’s strategic position as a regional aviation hub, both Minister Keyamo and the Airbus team affirmed their commitment to forging a mutually beneficial partnership. Discussions centered on leveraging Nigeria’s size, population, and burgeoning air travel market to propel the country to the forefront of African aviation.
In a gesture of appreciation, the entire Nigerian aviation delegation, including the Minister, were presented with souvenir gifts by the Airbus team. The exchange symbolized the beginning of a collaborative journey towards realizing the shared vision of a thriving aviation sector in Nigeria and across Africa.
The pinnacle of the bilateral working visit was the series of closed-door meetings between Nigerian airline operators and Airbus executives, exploring opportunities for leasing and procurement. Notably, discussions between the CEO of Airpeace, Toyin Olajide, and the CEO of ATR signaled potential collaborations for the acquisition/leasing of iconic aircraft models.
Industry leaders such as Emmanuel Fubara , Chairman of Bristow Helicopters, Capt. Ado Sanusi of Aero Contractors, and George Urensi and Imelda Aba of Ibom Air, Iza Emmanuel Abuya of XEJet Executive and other prominent figures in the aviation sector, engaged in fruitful discussions with Airbus executives, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and investments.
The Minister’s visit to Airbus exemplifies Nigeria’s commitment to fostering innovation, growth, and collaboration in the aviation industry. As the country continues to expand its aviation footprint, partnerships with global leaders like Airbus will be instrumental in driving progress and prosperity across the continent.
