LAGOS – Nigeria is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Working Together Agreement (WTA) arrangement with Boeing aircraft manufacturing company.
The weeklong meeting to the company was on the invitation of Boeing and Barr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace led the Nigeria’s delegation.
A statement by Mr. Tunde Moshood, the Special Assistant, Media and Communications to Keyamo, said that the minister was accompanied on the trip to Boeing in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A by topnotch Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the country’s airlines.
The statement hinted that this visit marked a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s aviation sector as the Minister and his delegation would engage in a series of high-level discussions with the multinational aircraft manufacturer.
Commenting on the visit, Keyamo expressed optimism about its success.
He explained that this engagement with Boeing represented a significant step forward in the Nigeria’s efforts to revitalise the aviation sector in Nigeria.
“By working closely with Boeing, we aim to equip our airlines with the tools and knowledge they need to compete on a global scale, ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.” He said.
The statement added that the visit would also take the delegation to Seattle, Washington, as part of an extensive programme aimed at fostering a deeper partnership between Boeing and Nigeria.
Keyamo in the statement explained that the primary objective of this strategic engagement was to explore avenues for enhancing the operational efficiency, safety, and overall business practices of Nigerian airline operators through collaboration with one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.
The statement added: “The highlight of this visit is expected to be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Working Together Agreement (WTA) between Boeing and the Federal Government of Nigeria. These agreements will lay the groundwork for a new era of cooperation, offering Nigerian airlines unprecedented access to Boeing’s vast technical resources.
“The anticipated benefits include specialized training in airline operations, enhanced safety protocols, and opportunities for the introduction of new or pre-owned Boeing aircraft into the Nigerian market.”
The Federal Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that the Federal Government is engaging with leading aircraft leasing companies in France to facilitate the leasing of Airbus aircraft to Nigeria’s private airline operators.
Keyamo had in March this year led a delegation of senior government officials in Nigeria’s aviation sector and representatives from private airlines to the Airbus headquarters in Occitanie, France.
During this visit, they held high-level meetings with leading aircraft leasing companies, negotiating terms to make Airbus aircraft available to Nigerian local airline operators at very affordable rates.
He had said that the government’s goal was to ensure the availability of these aircraft to local carriers at economical rates, enabling them to serve both our domestic and international routes more effectively and help reduce fare costs.
To secure the leases, the delegation offered solid assurances to the leasing companies about the safety of their assets in Nigeria.
Following the discussions, the delegation received a tour showcasing various Airbus aircraft models.
