Nigerian aviation mogul Allen Onyema's Air Peace to create 50,000 jobs with new MRO facility

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s largest airlines, led by aviation magnate Allen Onyema, has broken ground on a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The project, first announced in August, is being described as the biggest of its kind in Africa and is expected to generate more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.

At the ceremony on the 34,000-square-meter site, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo called the facility a “national treasure” and promised government support. Air Peace founder Allen Onyema, who has campaigned for stronger backing for local airlines, said the project was the fulfillment of a long-delayed plan.

“We paid for this land eight years ago, but nothing happened until the coming of President Bola Tinubu and Minister Keyamo,” Onyema said. “For the first time, Nigerian airlines are receiving strong backing. My joy knows no bounds.”

Cutting costs at home

Nigerian carriers have long depended on foreign hangars for aircraft checks, a practice that has drained scarce foreign exchange. Onyema said the industry spent more than $180 billion last year on overseas maintenance and spare parts. “This MRO will change that,” he said. “It will serve Air Peace as well as other African and international airlines. Within two years, we expect to attract carriers from Europe and the Americas.”

The complex, being built by contractors Morgan Omonitan & Abe, will include a 6,200-square-meter hangar, a 2,000-square-meter warehouse, offices, workshops, and a 10,000-square-meter apron for aircraft parking. Embraer, the Brazilian planemaker, is providing technical support. When completed, the Lagos site will be able to service a Boeing 777 alongside five other aircraft, outpacing existing facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia.

Bank and government backing

Financial institutions and regulators have endorsed the initiative. Ifeoma Uz’okpala, executive director at the Bank of Industry, said the project reflects “what true cooperation looks like.” Fidelity Bank executive director Abolore Solebo added that Onyema’s push helped the lender set up its first aviation desk.

Keyamo said the federal government plans to use the facility for the Presidential Fleet, citing it as a cost-effective move. “This hangar will save billions, create jobs and restore confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector,” he said. More than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected, from engineers and technicians to support staff.

Growing regional presence

Founded in 2013, Air Peace has grown into the country’s biggest private airline, with 32 aircraft and eight more on order. It flies to 19 Nigerian cities and 11 overseas destinations, including the UK, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Liberia.

Onyema said the new maintenance hub is more than just infrastructure. “This is a statement that Nigeria believes in itself,” he said. “It shows local investment can thrive and that our aviation industry can take its rightful place globally.”

The company has also been expanding internationally. In August, Air Peace launched direct flights from Lagos to São Paulo, strengthening links between Nigeria and Brazil. Beyond aviation, Onyema is also known for his philanthropy. In 2022, he donated a N110 million ($73,400) guest house to the University of Ibadan, his alma mater.