Nigeria’s civil aviation regulator is considering certifying China’s new C919 passenger jet for local airlines, a decision that could reshape fleet choices in Africa’s largest market and deepen aviation ties with Beijing.
Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), told Reuters at the UN aviation assembly in Montreal that the agency is studying the months-long approval process for the Chinese-built aircraft.
“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” Najomo said, noting that the C919 still lacks validation from Western regulators.
Built by Chinese state-owned COMAC, the C919 is Beijing’s flagship narrow-body jet designed to rival Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320. COMAC has held multiple talks with Nigerian authorities and airlines as it seeks to expand across Africa.
Najomo said COMAC has offered maintenance and training support and is exploring dry lease deals — leasing planes without crew — to make the aircraft attractive for Nigerian carriers.
Potential buyers include NG Eagle, whose CEO Abdullahi Ahmed said he would consider the C919 if certified and backed by solid technical support.
Nigeria, with 230 million people and 13 airlines, is a rising aviation market. Certification would give carriers a fresh, cost-competitive alternative to Airbus and Boeing as they race to modernize fleets and meet soaring demand.
