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Air Peace commences MRO project, says 50,000 jobs available
Air Peace, reputed to be Nigeria’s flagship carrier and West/Central Africa’s largest airline, has officially commenced construction of a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on a 34,000-square-metre site, was attended by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, as well as top executives from the Bank of Industry and Fidelity Bank, aviation regulators, and other distinguished stakeholders.
The project, hailed as the biggest of its kind in Africa, is expected to revolutionise Nigeria’s aviation sector, curb capital flight, and position the country as a hub for aircraft maintenance.
Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, described the event as the culmination of nearly a decade of resilience.
Onyema said, “My joy knows no bounds. We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our indefatigable Minister of Aviation, Hon Festus Keyamo.
“In less than one year, they made it possible for us to stand here today. This is the first time Nigerian airlines are receiving massive support, and we at Air Peace are proud to be part of this history.”
Onyema emphasised the economic impact of the facility, noting that Nigerian carriers spent over $180 billion last year on overseas maintenance and spare parts.
“This MRO will change that narrative,” he explained. “It will serve not only Air Peace but also other Nigerian and international airlines. Within the next 24 months, Nigeria will begin to attract foreign investment, as airlines from Africa, Europe, and the Americas bring their aircraft here.”
According to project contractors Morgan Omonitan & Abe, the facility will span 32,000 sqm and include a 6,200 sqm hangar, a 2,000 sqm warehouse, a 2,600 sqm workshop, a 1,500 sqm office block, and a 10,000 sqm apron for aircraft parking.
Supporting infrastructure such as a car park, equipment shade, utility buildings, and landscaped grounds will cover an additional 9,700sqm.
The MRO, backed by technical support from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, is projected to create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, foster a new generation of engineers and technicians, and drastically reduce capital flight.
Speaking on behalf of financial partners, Mrs Ifeoma Uz’okpala, Executive Director at the Bank of Industry, hailed the project as a model of strategic partnership. “What has happened between us, Fidelity Bank, Dr Allen Onyema, and Air Peace is a true collaboration,” she said. “We will continue to support Air Peace and Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Abolore Solebo, echoed this commitment. “It was on the back of Air Peace’s idea and vision that Fidelity Bank established a proven first aviation desk. We will continue to work together to strengthen the industry,” he affirmed.
In his remarks, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo described the MRO as a “national treasure.” He said, “This is not just Air Peace’s day; it is Nigeria’s day. This hangar will save us billions in foreign exchange, attract foreign airlines to Nigeria, and create unprecedented opportunities for our people.
For the first time in decades, confidence has returned to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.” He added that the Presidential Fleet would also patronise the facility, calling it the most cost-effective option for the government.
With the ability to accommodate a Boeing 777 alongside five additional aircraft, the Lagos MRO will surpass existing facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia.
Onyema concluded on a visionary note: “This is more than a foundation stone, it is a revolution. It is a statement that Nigeria believes in itself, that indigenous investment can thrive, and that we are ready to take our place on the global aviation stage.”
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, has consistently championed youth empowerment and job creation, including through its Graduate Trainee Programme.
The airline has pledged that the new facility will generate thousands of opportunities, reaffirming its role as a key driver of national development.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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