Stakeholders in the aviation sector have warned that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development needs to address capacity gaps and skill shortages if the country is to become a regional hub.

The remark was made at the end of a one-week tour of key aviation facilities across Lagos, Abuja and Zaria by a delegation from Bulgaria hosted in Nigeria by Braniz & Lloyds Aviation. The visiting team, led by the Chief Executive Officer of Plane Care Academy, Viktor Mihaylov, toured the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos; the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abuja; the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, in Kaduna State.

Chief Executive Officer of Braniz & Lloyds Aviation, Brienze Lawrence, while welcoming the delegation, urged the aviation ministry to align with the right international partnerships that prioritise critical knowledge exchange and skills development

“We are delighted to have you in Nigeria for the next one week. Your presence is a demonstration of the mutually beneficial relationship we have built over time to advance aviation skills development in Africa, starting from Nigeria,” she said.

She added that the shortage of skilled staff for MRO services in Nigeria and the limited facilities providing such critical services in Nigeria make the visit all the more important.

“Your visit marks the beginning of a new era for the aviation business in Nigeria. I would like to stress the fact that you bring a unique blend of expertise and experience in Aviation Training and Aircraft Maintenance services that are greatly needed and highly valued in our country.”

“Your company has built a track record of working with major airlines in Europe, providing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-rated services to ensure safety on land and in the skies. We hope that we will form partnerships to ensure that there is a fine arrangement for also training our youths for global competitiveness in the aviation industry, which is the hallmark of the academy,” Lawrence added.

On his part, the CEO of Plane Care Academy, Viktor Mihaylov, noted that the essence of the visit is to have first-hand experience of the opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation industry and how they can be harnessed to meet global standards.