In a strategic push to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation and defense sectors, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has called on Airbus to set up maintenance hubs in Nigeria. The appeal came during his official visit to Airbus’ largest industrial facility in Getafe, Madrid, where he held discussions with key company executives.
The Getafe facility, a central hub for Airbus’ global operations, became the backdrop for talks on expanding Airbus’ footprint in Nigeria. The minister’s visit, outlined in a statement by his media aide Alkasim Abdulkadir, was aimed at exploring deeper partnerships beyond aircraft sales, focusing on fostering local investments, workforce development, and enhancing Nigeria’s capacity in the aviation and defense industries.
During the visit, Tuggar engaged with top Airbus officials, including Juan Sell, Head of Public Affairs in Spain, Luis Hernanperez Fernandez, Vice President of Sales for Africa, and Candelas Segovia Rodriguez, International Government Affairs Manager. Together, they discussed how Airbus could support Nigeria’s transportation, humanitarian, and defense needs, with particular attention to the C295, a versatile multi-purpose aircraft ideal for various missions in the country.
Tuggar urged Airbus to establish a maintenance hub in Nigeria, positioning the country as a key regional player in African peacekeeping operations. The minister also highlighted the significant opportunity to train and empower local youth, with the potential to eventually assemble and manufacture aircraft in Nigeria. This, he stressed, would contribute to reducing unemployment while building long-term capabilities in the country.
The visit also included a tour of Airbus’ state-of-the-art maintenance facilities, providing the minister with insight into the company’s operational excellence.
Meanwhile, Nigeria and Spain took another step in strengthening bilateral relations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations and advancing shared interests between the two nations. The MoU was signed by Tuggar and Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Albares, on Tuesday.
This move signals a deeper commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships in aviation, defense, and beyond, with the potential for significant economic and social impact in Nigeria.
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