The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, says the maiden Nigeria International Airshow is a strong signal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to repositioning critical sectors to drive national growth, job creation and global competitiveness.
Mahmoud stated this at the opening of the historic airshow held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, according to the statement issued by Austine Elemue, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State, on Tuesday.
Describing the event as a major milestone, the minister said the airshow marks Nigeria’s formal entry into the global aerospace arena. She commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for the “vision, dedication and innovation” that made the first-ever edition possible.
According to her, the airshow goes beyond displaying aircraft and technology. It represents Nigeria’s readiness to embrace the future of aviation, aerospace engineering and modern mobility.
Mahmoud noted that Abuja remains the nation’s gateway to the world, adding that hosting the inaugural airshow aligns with the administration’s investments in infrastructure, policies and safety-driven innovation across industrial sectors.
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She highlighted the emerging opportunities for aviation-linked businesses in the FCT, including logistics, hospitality, training academies, tourism and technology.
The minister also applauded the participation of airlines, aerospace companies, drone technology firms, MRO and training institutions, as well as aviation experts who converged on Abuja for the event.
Mahmoud said the platform would inspire young Nigerians to pursue careers in aerospace engineering, avionics, AI-powered mobility and sustainable aviation fuels.
She urged exhibitors and delegates to explore, network and innovate to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the landmark event.
