Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni, has declared that Nigeria’s strong economy and large population make it a prime destination for international business ventures, particularly in the aviation sector.
Kana made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in his office on Monday.
“Nigeria’s economy and her population provide a strong foundation for business. Aviation investors like COMAC will find our market not only attractive but sustainable,” Kana said.
He noted that the courtesy visit followed the Honourable Minister’s earlier engagement in China, which has already begun yielding results. Kana assured COMAC of robust partnerships with Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. He also confirmed the company’s participation in the upcoming Nigeria Airshow scheduled for December 2025.
Technical Collaboration and Approvals
The Permanent Secretary suggested that heads of aviation regulatory bodies — including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) — engage directly with COMAC for possible technical approvals of their aircraft in Nigeria.
MD of NSIB, Alex Badeh, himself a pilot, praised COMAC’s growing global reputation and urged the company to invest.
“Nigeria is underserved in terms of aircraft supply. COMAC has a real opportunity here, and Nigeria is the best place for them to come,” Badeh said.
Nigeria Airshow as Gateway
The MD/CEO of the Nigeria Airshow, Bria Williams, emphasized that Nigeria’s geographical centrality makes it an ideal hub for aviation investment.
“The forthcoming Nigeria Airshow will be an excellent opportunity for COMAC to showcase its aircraft to the entire aviation ecosystem. Nigeria is the right country for such strategic investment, especially in MRO facilities,” Williams stated.
COMAC’s Commitment
Speaking earlier, Yang Yang, Deputy General Manager of COMAC’s Marketing and Sales Centre, expressed the company’s readiness to expand into Nigeria.
“Nigeria is strategically located, and we see it as a key market for our expansion in Africa,” Yang said.
He explained that COMAC, a Chinese state-owned aerospace manufacturer founded in 2008, has a registered capital of RMB 19 billion. The corporation is backed by major Chinese entities such as AVIC, Baosteel Group, Aluminum Corporation of China, and Sinochem Group.
Yang highlighted the company’s aircraft models, including the C909 twin-engine single-aisle short-range jet and the C919 twin-engine single-aisle short-to-medium range jet, which are gaining traction globally.
The visit sets the stage for closer Nigeria–China aviation cooperation, with discussions pointing toward aircraft acquisition, technical approvals, and long-term investments in Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
Nigeria, China Strengthen Aviation Ties as COMAC Explores Investment Opportunities
