The Managing Director of ValueJet, Omololu Majekodunmi, described the ongoing Boeing’s Advanced Technical Training Programme for Nigerian airline engineers as a significant investment in the future of the country’s aviation industry.

Majekodunmi, in his opening speech at the commencement of the programme, holding in Lagos, said that safety remained the foundation of ValueJet Airlines.

The Boeing training programme, which commenced on June 16, would run through July 29.
The programme is an intensive training for ValueJet engineers on the Boeing 737 Next-Generation (737NG) aircraft.

The training is being conducted by Boeing as part of its ongoing efforts to support aviation safety, workforce development and operational readiness across Africa.

Participants will undergo comprehensive instruction covering Boeing 737NG avionics, airframe, powerplant, electrical systems, aircraft characteristics, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting techniques, safety protocols, human factors and operational best practices.
Upon completion, the engineers would receive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-aligned theoretical training certificates, further enhancing their professional qualifications and technical capabilities.

Majekodunmi reiterated the airline’s commitment to safety, operational excellence, and human capital development.

He said: “Safety remains the foundation of our operations at ValueJet. We started our journey with the CRJ fleet and are now expanding by introducing Boeing aircraft.

“As our fleet grows, it is important that we continue investing in our technical personnel to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to maintain the highest safety and operational standards.

“This training programme is a valuable opportunity to strengthen the capabilities of our engineers and further reinforce our commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient operations.”

The Boeing training programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen technical capacity within Nigeria’s aviation sector and support the long-term sustainability of airline operations through world-class engineering expertise.

Also speaking, the CEO of Aviation Techniks and Training International Limited, a Boeing partner for the training, Odutola Olawale, lauded the partnership.

Olawale emphasised that bringing together aviation giants would mean a lot for the industry and open it up to world-class opportunities.

The Executive Sales Director, African region, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Moore Ibekwe Jnr., said four factors had boosted the aviation sector in Nigeria.

He listed access to credit and dry lease, improved technical capabilities, improved airport infrastructure and a stronger regulatory environment as the factors that have repositioned the industry in recent years.

He said: “We intend to enhance technical support and have specialists come in from time to time to maintain the Boeing aircraft operating in the Nigerian airspace, among other things.

“We also talked about airline operational safety support. We have several initiatives to work with the NCAA on improving air safety in Nigeria.”

He stressed that aircraft maintenance had always been a major issue and with their forecast of 1,200 airplanes to be delivered on the continent in the next 20 years, about 77,000 aviation professionals would be needed to maintain these aircraft.

Consul General of the United States consulate in Lagos, Rick Swart, said the partnership would help young Nigerians develop capability in the sector without having to leave the country.

He also reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to the sector.

Swart pledged to continue working with the Nigerian government and private sector to support stakeholders in expanding trade, encouraging investment, and fostering economic growth, with the aviation sector as a key part of this.

Managing Director, United Nigeria Airlines, Osita Okonknwo, hailed the training, noting its importance to the sector.

He said a training of this magnitude would ordinarily have been done in England, expressing happiness at bringing it to Lagos.