NAF, Ekiti Partner On Aircraft Maintenance Depot To Boost Security, Economy

NAF, Ekiti Partner on Aircraft Maintenance Depot to Boost Security, Economy The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and the Ekiti State Government have signed a strategic partnership to establish an Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Depot aimed at strengthening national security, building technical capacity, stimulating economic growth, and creating skilled employment opportunities. The pact was formalised on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja. Air Marshal Aneke described the initiative as a significant milestone toward achieving greater self‑reliance in aircraft maintenance and enhancing Nigeria’s airpower projection and operational readiness. He explained that the facility will not only support military aircraft sustainability but also spur technical expertise and advance Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Governor Oyebanji lauded the Air Force’s professionalism and reaffirmed Ekiti State’s commitment to the partnership, including the provision of land and infrastructure support for the proposed depot and related facilities. He emphasised that the project will boost security, improve economic activity, and attract investment to the State, leveraging international and domestic opportunities linked to aviation and engineering sectors.
According to officials, the MRO depot strategically located near Ekiti’s airport and key transportation networks is expected to strengthen the maintenance ecosystem, reduce foreign exchange outflows on overseas aircraft servicing, and nurture a home‑grown maintenance workforce. The partnership also aligns with broader Federal Government goals to enhance national defence capabilities and economic diversification, as envisaged under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The collaboration is anticipated to foster deeper public‑private engagement and attract future industry players to the aviation value chain. Officials from both the NAF and the Ekiti State Government affirmed their commitment to swift implementation, with plans to establish operational frameworks, technical training programmes and regulatory compliance systems to optimise the depot’s functionality and long‑term sustainability.