ValueJet seeks Boeing simulator in Nigeria to reduce FX losses

By Dickson Omobola

Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, urged Boeing to set up a flight simulator in Nigeria on Tuesday.

Majekodunmi said a local simulator would cut foreign‑exchange outflows, lower training costs and enhance aviation safety.

He spoke as Boeing launched the first tranche of its advanced technical training programme for Nigerian airline engineers, hosted by Techniks and Training Academy (ATT Academy) in Lagos.

The training, which follows a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Boeing and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, runs from 16 June to 29 July and will train 16 engineers from Nigerian carriers United Nigeria Airlines and ValueJet.

Majekodunmi said hosting the training in Nigeria had saved foreign exchange and delivered economic benefits.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, he said: “We have saved foreign exchange that would otherwise have been spent abroad. Also, our engineers, both from United Nigeria Airlines and ValueJet, can all be in the same classroom receiving the same quality of training.”

“Meanwhile, we want to see a Boeing simulator in Nigeria. We don’t have to take the money out again. It is also about safety. I have been in this business for seven years, and if, for any reason, you do something wrong or there is a procedural error, the airline, the Director of Flight Operations or the company simply pulls you offline and says: ‘please go back to the simulator for the next one, two or three days and repeat that procedure.’ It is not easy to do that under the current arrangement.”

“You can’t do it in this kind of economy. I can’t send you to America or the UK for a simulator procedure that lasts only three days. But when you have a simulator within your environment, it becomes much easier. We would also like to see, perhaps in the next 10 to 15 years, Boeing aircraft being assembled in Nigeria.”

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo also spoke at the event, noting that policy reforms introduced by the current administration were attracting investment into the aviation sector and underscoring the need to build technical and human capacity.

Keyamo, represented by Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Direct Investment and Capital Improvement Programmes Samuel Bajomo, said: “What Boeing has been doing in accordance with our existing MoU is centred on one of its key pillars, which is training. Training, capacity building, technology transfer, and increasing technical knowledge and expertise for our operators, engineers and service providers are among the major contributions Boeing has been making.”

“Also, in terms of driving investments, there have been a lot of policy reforms introduced by the current administration. These policy directions have helped open up the industry.”

“So, Nigeria is on the cusp of positioning itself to ensure it has the technical capacity, human capital and industry readiness to take advantage of the opportunities coming its way. I really appreciate the efforts of industry players, especially the Airline Operators of Nigeria and other airline operators.”

United Nigeria Airlines Managing Director Osita Okonkwo said: “I think it is through this kind of relationship and teamwork that Nigeria’s aviation sector market will be developed and fully exploited by Nigerians, rather than leaving the market for others to exploit. In terms of aircraft, personnel and training, this capacity building will be one of the first steps towards making that a reality. We are happy that Boeing has come on board, and more importantly, that this is evolving into a long‑term relationship.”

Boeing’s Executive Sales Director, Africa Region, Commercial Airplanes Moore Ibekwe noted that the company was exploring ways to assist domestic operators and added that Nigeria’s improved standing on the Cape Town Convention compliance index has eased lessor anxieties regarding fund tracking.

He said: “Boosting the capacity of aviation insurance in Nigeria is essential to ensuring stability and safety through the financial soundness of operators.”

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