Nigeria Weighs Certification of China’s C919

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is considering certifying China’s COMAC C919 jet for domestic operations, signaling deepening aviation ties between Abuja and Beijing. Director-general Chris Ona Najomo confirmed the move during the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, noting that the process would require a months-long approval period despite the aircraft lacking validation from Western regulators.

“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” Najomo said. He added that COMAC has offered Nigerian carriers support with maintenance, training, and dry lease arrangements to encourage adoption.

Local carrier NG Eagle, which currently operates Boeing 737s and Embraer ERJ145s, has expressed interest in adding COMAC jets to its fleet if they secure certification.

For COMAC, Africa represents a key growth market as it seeks to challenge Boeing and Airbus. However, hurdles remain. The C919 relies heavily on foreign components, including CFM International engines, which were temporarily blocked from export earlier this year amid U.S.-China trade tensions. Production has also been hampered by supply chain delays, forcing COMAC to slash its 2025 delivery target from 75 to 25 aircraft.

Still, Nigeria’s willingness to explore certification marks a significant step. The country’s fast-growing aviation sector, driven by rising passenger demand and airline fleet expansion, could provide COMAC with an entry point into African markets. If successful, the C919 could become a cost-competitive option for Nigerian airlines, while further cementing China’s role in shaping the region’s aviation future.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com