Tinubu pushes Airbus to speed up delivery of attack helicopters amid rising insecurity

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has urged Airbus to accelerate the delivery of three attack helicopters ordered by the Nigerian government to strengthen fight against insurgency and terrorism.

The president also welcomed the aircraft manufacturer’s proposal to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria, describing the move as part of broader efforts to position the country as a regional hub for aerospace and aviation services.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu stressed the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to support security operations, logistics, and other national priorities as his administration intensifies efforts to tackle persistent insecurity across parts of the country.

Tinubu made the remarks during a meeting with an Airbus delegation led by Head of Regional Business Growth for Africa and the Middle East, Thierry Cloutet, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

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During the engagement, the president said his administration was committed to deepening Nigeria’s partnership with Airbus by leveraging the company’s expertise in military aviation and aerospace development.

He specifically called for quicker delivery of the three Apache helicopters already ordered by Nigeria, noting that the aircraft are critical to ongoing counterterrorism and security operations nationwide.

“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” Tinubu said.

Discussions at the meeting also covered Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 aircraft platform, wider defence aviation cooperation, and financing arrangements aimed at easing airlines’ access to aircraft.

The talks explored aircraft leasing and funding models, including export credit arrangements, sale-and-lease-back structures, and long-term financing solutions designed to address funding challenges in the aviation sector.

As part of efforts to strengthen ties with the company, Tinubu also discussed the possibility of establishing an aviation leasing company in Nigeria to unlock opportunities across the country’s aviation value chain and improve access to financing for local operators.

In his remarks, Cloutet commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and initiatives aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s aviation industry, while reaffirming Airbus’ commitment to supporting the country’s long-term aerospace ambitions.

Cloutet also proposed what he described as a ‘360-degree engagement’ with Nigeria, covering commercial aviation, military aircraft collaboration, human capital development, sustainability initiatives, operational hubs, and maintenance infrastructure.

The proposed partnership would also extend to satellite technology and Earth observation collaboration.