Tinubu Welcomes Airbus Investment Plan, Pushes Faster Delivery of Attack Helicopters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed a proposal by Airbus to establish aircraft maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria as part of efforts to position the country as a regional aviation and aerospace hub.

The President also stressed Nigeria’s urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to strengthen security operations, logistics and national development efforts amid ongoing security challenges in parts of the country.

Tinubu spoke during a meeting with an Airbus delegation led by Thierry Cloutet, Head of Regional Business Growth for Africa and the Middle East, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.

According to the President, his administration is committed to deepening cooperation with Airbus, particularly in military aviation and aerospace development.

He specifically called for the accelerated delivery of the three Apache helicopters already ordered by Nigeria to boost ongoing counterterrorism and security operations across the country.

“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” Tinubu said.

Discussions during the meeting also covered Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 aircraft platform, broader defence aviation partnerships, and financing models for the aviation sector.

The President and the Airbus delegation explored aircraft leasing and financing options, including export credit arrangements, sale-and-lease-back structures, and long-term financing solutions aimed at improving Nigerian airlines’ access to aircraft and reducing operational financing constraints.

Tinubu further discussed the possibility of establishing an aviation leasing company in Nigeria to unlock opportunities within the country’s aviation value chain and improve financing access for domestic operators.

Cloutet commended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and efforts to stabilise the aviation industry, reaffirming Airbus’ interest in supporting Nigeria’s long-term aerospace development goals.

He proposed what he described as a “360-degree engagement” model with Nigeria, covering commercial aviation, military aircraft cooperation, human capital development, sustainability initiatives, operational hubs and maintenance infrastructure.

The proposed partnership will also extend to satellite collaboration and Earth observation technology.