A former Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to initiate policy reforms that would attract investments and drive the establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities within the country.
Caulcrick said such a policy shift was crucial to curb the yearly outflow of about $1 billion spent by Nigerian airlines on aircraft maintenance abroad, a practice that continues to drain foreign exchange and limit the growth of the local aviation industry.
Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Caulcrick lamented that despite operating and earning their flight hours within Nigeria, most domestic carriers still rely on foreign MROs for aircraft checks and heavy maintenance.
He explained that the NCAA could play a key role in reversing the trend by enforcing a section of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) renewal process that requires airlines to identify a local MRO facility as part of their operational compliance.
“Airlines would no longer need to spend foreign currency on overseas maintenance, especially for the man-hour component of the MRO, which has become increasingly difficult due to the volatile value of the naira.
“With a stronger MRO sector, Nigeria could attract foreign airlines and become a regional maintenance hub, creating jobs and drawing in foreign investment,” he said.
Recent reports showed that Nigerian airlines collectively spend about $1 billion yearly on offshore aircraft maintenance.
At a forum in Lagos in September, Air Peace Chairman, Dr Allen Onyema, revealed that the airline alone spent N180 billion in 2024 maintaining its aircraft overseas.
Caulcrick noted that to make such regulatory measures effective, deliberate efforts must be made to stimulate investment in the MRO sector.
He stressed that high operational costs remained a major challenge for local carriers, partly due to the outsourcing of mandatory maintenance checks abroad.
“A significant challenge is the lack of modern facilities and equipment. Investing in MRO is capital-intensive and requires strong government commitment to upgrade or build new facilities, in addition to policy support.
“Nigeria faces a brain drain of skilled engineers and technicians, who are often trained abroad and subsequently recruited by foreign firms offering better conditions,” he added.
He further explained that developing a strong local MRO industry would yield multiple economic benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, and improved aircraft turnaround times.
Caulcrick emphasised that the establishment of a robust local MRO ecosystem would mark a strategic milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector, helping it to achieve long-term sustainability and global competitiveness.
He expressed further that local MRO providers would respond promptly to customer needs, reduce downtime, while also increasing aircraft availability.
