The Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit (NAAIS), convened by Pliance Global Aviation, was held at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, from April 1 – 2, 2026. The high-level assembly served as a critical nexus for industry stakeholders to dissect the intricate fiscal and regulatory frameworks governing fleet expansion and capital infusion within the domestic space. By bringing together policymakers, financiers, and operators, the summit aimed to rectify longstanding structural bottlenecks while showcasing the burgeoning opportunities within the Nigerian aviation ecosystem.
Opening the proceedings, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), articulated a vision for a revitalized sector anchored by institutional integrity. He posited that Nigeria is strategically positioned to harness its aerial potential through a reinforced compliance architecture, bolstered creditor assurance, and measurable advancements in revenue repatriation protocols. Minister Keyamo underscored the administration’s commitment to de-risking the environment by intensifying the domestic application of the Cape Town Convention and its associated Aircraft Protocol, stating: “We are here not merely to discuss aircraft acquisition as a transactional issue, but to unlock something far more strategic and far more consequential: capital, confidence, and capacity – the three pillars upon which any globally competitive aviation industry must stand”, he noted.
Addressing the climate of international perception, Barr. Allen Onyema, Vice President of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), noted that the global community remains cautiously optimistic but concerned, regarding the longevity of current reforms. While advocating for administrative continuity to preserve the momentum of Keyamo’s initiatives, Onyema offered a robust defense of domestic carriers while demanding equitable treatment from international lessors.
He addressed historical frictions by asserting: “Going forward, no Nigerian airline will default in payments, but you also need to be fair in your dealings. I speak as the Vice President of AON. Under our watch, we monitor ourselves because if any airline defaults, it’s going to affect the entire Nigerian aviation sector. We’re going to stand tall and be truthful in our obligations towards foreign lessors”, he assured.
Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Spokesperson for AON, highlighted the shift from Nigerian operators seeking international platforms to the global industry converging in Lagos. However, he lamented the prohibitive costs currently borne by frontrunners and identified specific monetary policy impediments—such as the inability of commercial banks to lend below the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and the exclusion of aircraft as primary collateral.
Highlighting these hurdles, Prof. Okonkwo remarked: “We as Nigerian operators have been attending numerous airline events around the world, and we’re very delighted that today, the world is coming to us. This is a good beginning. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has focused on making policy changes since he came into office. We’re hoping that with time, when these dry leases become readily available to Nigerian operators, they would be affordable, because today, the pace setters like Air Peace are bearing the brunt for the service. The banks are happy to give loans to the industry, even at single digits, but they’re restricted by certain rules of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as the banks cannot give below a certain MPR. Also, the banks understand our need to collaterize our loans with aircraft, but here too, they are restricted by CBN’s rule that one must present a physical collateral other than aircraft in order to obtain a loan. These are some of the impediments we face with regards to aircraft leasing in Nigeria”, he lamented.
The event concluded with stakeholders optimistic about the country’s aviation potential. As reiterated by stakeholders, Nigeria is poised to unlock its aviation sector, and with the right partnerships and reforms, the nation is on the path to becoming a major player in the global aviation industry.
