Nigeria Considers Certifying China’s C919 Jet

Nigeria’s civil aviation authority is evaluating whether to certify China’s COMAC C919 aircraft for use by local carriers, a move that could open the door for the jet to enter one of Africa’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The announcement came from Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, during the ICAO Assembly in Montreal.

The C919, a narrow-body jet designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing, is currently only certified in China and operated by Chinese airlines. COMAC has been in talks with Nigerian officials as it seeks to expand into Africa, offering maintenance, training support, and leasing options to make its aircraft more accessible for regional carriers.

Najomo said that while the certification process could take months, it represents the necessary first step before any Nigerian airline could operate the jet. He emphasized that dry lease arrangements—leasing the aircraft without crew—would be the most practical option for airlines considering the plane.

Abdullahi Ahmed, CEO of NG Eagle, expressed interest in expanding his fleet and noted he would consider COMAC aircraft if supported with strong maintenance and training programs. Nigeria currently has 13 active airlines, many of which rely heavily on leased fleets.

Although COMAC faces challenges, including delays in deliveries and the absence of Western regulatory approvals, Nigeria’s growing aviation sector presents a significant opportunity. With airfares becoming more affordable and passenger demand rising, certification of the C919 could give Nigerian airlines a new alternative to Airbus and Boeing.

Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=C919

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com