Nigeria’s aviation regulator has begun steps to certify China’s COMAC C919 jet for use by domestic carriers, a move that could diversify fleet options and deepen aviation ties with Beijing. The plan was confirmed by Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, head of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, during the U.N. aviation assembly in Montreal, as reported by Reuters.
Certification would allow local airlines to deploy the single-aisle C919 on Nigerian routes, positioning the country as one of the first African markets to consider the aircraft. The jet, built by China’s state-owned COMAC, entered commercial service in 2023 but has yet to secure validation from Western regulators such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency or the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Reuters noted that Nigeria’s interest aligns with COMAC’s ambition to expand into emerging markets.
Najomo stressed that the process must follow international aviation standards and include technical partnerships. “We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” he said, underscoring that safety and regulatory compliance remain the foundation of any approval.
Local carrier NG Eagle has already expressed interest in the C919, provided that maintenance, training, and leasing support structures are established. Aviation analysts told Reuters that Nigeria’s improved rating under the Cape Town Convention, which facilitates aircraft leasing, could make it easier for airlines to integrate new jets like the C919 into their fleets.
If completed, certification could mark a significant step in reducing reliance on older aircraft and broaden procurement options for Nigerian carriers. It also signals Nigeria’s willingness to explore new partnerships in global aviation beyond traditional Western suppliers, a shift that could reshape competition in the country’s airline industry.
