The Federal Government has unveiled plans to host the first Nigeria International Airshow next April in Lagos, to attract investors into the aviation industry.

The development is coming amid plans by the government to concession five major international airports and rebrand the industry.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who disclosed at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, said the plans started last year, adding that efforts were in place to ensure a seamless exercise.

He maintained that the three-day airshow would bring together stakeholders in the industry, and create an avenue to cross-pollinate on modern innovations.

The event, according to him, would position Nigeria as a place where the “next big thing will happen in the African aviation industry.”

He said:  “We want to capitalise on this by following it up with an airshow and invite the world to come to Nigeria to see our potential, to host the world.”

Keyamo stated that the Federal Government is partnering with the Nigeria Airshow International Limited, noting that the programme aims to promote the African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), as well as  unlock potential, by leveraging the two key continental policies.

Chief Executive Officer of International Airshow Nigeria Limited, Mrs Byan Okwonkwo, said about 150 global aviation companies, including Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier, would grace the event.