Nigeria and India are exploring an aviation partnership covering stronger air connectivity, aircraft maintenance, training and technical knowledge transfer, as both countries seek to deepen cooperation in the sector.
The discussions took place in Abuja between Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Abhishek Singh, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, with both sides identifying areas where closer collaboration could strengthen Nigeria’s aviation capacity.
At the centre of the talks was the development of local aviation expertise and infrastructure, including the possibility of establishing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Nigeria.
Such facilities could reduce the reliance of Nigerian airlines on overseas maintenance centres for major aircraft checks and repairs, potentially lowering maintenance-related costs and keeping more aviation spending within the domestic economy.
Singh said India had identified several areas in which both countries could work together and proposed reciprocal visits by aviation officials from Nigeria and India to move the discussions forward.
Air connectivity was also a key component of the talks, with both sides examining ways to improve links between Nigeria and India and make travel between the two countries more accessible.
Training and capacity building emerged as another major pillar of the proposed partnership.
According to Singh, India already operates a capacity-building programme through which more than 250 Nigerians benefit annually. The Indian government is now considering expanding the existing training arrangement as part of broader aviation cooperation with Nigeria.
Keyamo said Nigeria could draw useful lessons from India’s experience in developing aviation skills and institutions, particularly as the country seeks to strengthen its pool of highly trained aviation professionals.
He identified training, capacity building and knowledge transfer as areas that should receive particular attention under any expanded bilateral aviation framework.
Nigerian engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals could benefit from specialised training, technical expertise and international exposure through the proposed cooperation.
The skills component could prove particularly important as Nigeria seeks to develop greater domestic technical capacity across its aviation value chain and reduce dependence on foreign expertise.
Keyamo has directed a technical team to examine the proposed areas of cooperation and develop a framework for the partnership, according to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The proposed framework is expected to guide further discussions between the two countries and identify practical areas for implementation.
Beyond air connectivity, maintenance and training, the broader cooperation could position India as a technical partner in Nigeria’s efforts to build a more self-sufficient aviation industry.
