The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, says Nigeria’s first-ever International Air Show will showcase the nation’s aviation potential and unlock new streams of foreign investment.
Keyamo made the remarks during an inspection of the event site, expressing confidence that the air show will place Nigeria on the global aviation map.
The three-day air show, scheduled for Tuesday, December 2 to Thursday, December 4, will take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and will feature the Nigerian Air Force aerial displays on the opening and closing days.
According to Keyamo, the demonstrations will highlight Nigeria’s expanding aviation capabilities, with the event modelled after major global showcases such as the Paris, Dubai, and Farnborough air shows.
Foreign airlines, investors, and aircraft manufacturers are scheduled to begin arriving from Sunday, underscoring what officials describe as a growing international interest in Nigeria’s aviation market.
Keyamo said the air show will serve as a marketplace for new aviation deals, partnerships, and technology transfers. Local operators will participate in business-to-business sessions, leasing and financing discussions, seminars, and exhibitions featuring aircraft, technologies, and aviation products from both local and global companies.
“This is the beginning of a better December,” he said, citing the influx of visitors and heightened global attention. “Nigeria is gaining potential foreign investments and attracting a lot of people into the country.”
The Minister emphasised that the show is being fully funded through a public-private partnership led by Nigerian International Airshow Limited. “The federal government has not spent one naira on the event,” he said. “We provided our infrastructure—runways and facilities—while private investors brought the funding.”
Keyamo also credited the Tinubu administration’s aviation reforms with creating renewed confidence in the sector.
“The present government has helped us a lot. We have rolled out policies that are now making the sector grow. The sector is poised for growth,” he said.
To ensure smooth operations during the event, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has issued NOTAMs restricting flights only during brief periods allocated for air displays. The minister noted that airspace closures will last just about an hour on the first and final days.
It was revealed that both local and international airlines, along with global manufacturers such as Textron Aviation and Leonardo, have confirmed attendance. While more participants are expected in the coming days, the public is encouraged to attend the landmark event.
Nigeria’s inaugural International Air Show is positioned to strengthen the country’s aviation profile, attract investment, and cement its status as an emerging hub in the global aerospace industry.
