The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the federal government is planning to begin manufacturing airplanes in Nigeria.

Keyamo, while speaking at the launch of XeJet’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and flight support centre in Abuja, stated that it would be a collaboration between XeJet and indigenous banks.

He stated that this would transform the country into a regional hub for aviation services, adding that the government’s vision is to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.

The minister said: “Since we came to office, we’ve been focused on attracting MRO facilities to our aviation ecosystem, just as they exist in other parts of the world.

We’ve searched far and wide for investors, but now we see that what we were looking for elsewhere is right here at home. This collaboration between an indigenous operator and local banks is a dream come true.

This development will not only serve Nigeria but will attract users from across the West African sub-region. That’s the dream—to make this facility a regional centre for excellence.”

His announcement sparked a massive reaction from Nigerians, who took to social media to share their thoughts.

While many described the minister’s statement as a joke, others stated that they have no plan to board a plane manufactured in Nigeria.

mazitundeednut: Me, I sha no go enter am.

cornerstoneband.ng: Fly away Peter, fly away paul….

djmekzy: Is this not a joke, they think manufacturing an airplane is beans.

rabonhomesltd_: So you mean say the one wey Benin people don dey use for midnight no be for Nigeria dem manufacture am?

jdprincehyper: Ekpoma Engineering students were una ooh

trainwithbennie: These guys just sit in office, get bored and then just spill for cruise.

bigfegs: Keyamo Swear say as you talk this thing you nor go back go laugh

sir_frankk: When dem begin dey smoke weed for government house?

cy_cyril_: All politicians, past and present will test run the first batch. We want to see something

dkokopee: E get the kind lieee you go hear, you go LIE DOWN… soon shaaa, just the way Nigeria go better soon, e fit be year 2100