Nigeria starts producing aircraft soon

Nigeria’s aviation ministry has revealed a partnership with Hungarian Magnus Aircraft Industry is in the works, and, all things being equal, manufacturing aircraft may begin in Nigeria by 2023.

But in the meantime, the manufacturer is considering setting up an assembly plant in Nigeria.

The Magnus brand was launched first in Kenya last December.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, disclosed this interest when he paid an inspection visit to the Magnus Aircraft Industry in Pogany, Hungary.

“If we venture with them, we may start with assembling plant and later manufacturing,” he said a statement August 24.

According to him, Magnus aircraft are  good for military training because they  have an aerobatic maneuver, and comprise fully composite materials, high strength and very lightweight.

“Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are also performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment, and sport,” he said.

Noting how satisfied he was with the features and more than willing to facilitate the production of the airplanes in Nigeria, the minister said, “One of the significant features of the Magnus aircraft is that it uses normal car petrol and outperforms any training aircraft of its kind.”

Sirika, who was at the facility on the invitation of the company, said the proposed partnership with the aircraft manufacturer would be subjected to further analysis to verify the market and government willingness to partner with a significant amount of money and logistics.

Local production of aircraft in Nigeria, he said, would facilitate the growth of Nigeria as a regional aviation superpower as it will also come with maintenance and repair facilities that will attract patronage from neighbouring countries.

He added the present administration has created an attractive environment for international investors in Nigeria, especially in the aviation sector, with the ongoing implementation of the development roadmap which places emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPP).