….Expert Slams Nigeria’s MRO Sector for Lack of Data, Planning
Sindy Foster, Principal Partner at Avaero Capital Partners, sheds light on the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, at the 10th year anniversary of the Air Transport Quarterly magazine, ATQ zoom meeting with the theme: “Challenges of Aircraft Maintenance; profit and sustainability in Nigeria”, calling attention to systemic issues that hinder its development.
With over two decades of experience in the aviation and aerospace industry, including significant time in the UK, Sindy emphasized that the MRO sector in Nigeria suffers from a lack of reliable data and structured planning, factors that she identified as major obstacles to its growth and sustainability.
She highlighted the absence of credible data as a pervasive issue in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Without accurate information, she argued, decision-making is largely anecdotal, which contributes to the stalling of the industry.
Drawing from her experience in the UK and the United States, she noted that aviation sectors in those regions are driven by data and cross-agency research, a sharp contrast to the unstructured approach observed in Nigeria.
One of the key points the expert raised is the lack of a clear business model for MRO operations in the country.
While private companies show interest in entering the market, their efforts are often undermined by a lack of strategic planning.
Emphasizing that MRO businesses need to define their scope—whether they are servicing civil aviation, business jets, or specific types of aircraft.
This lack of specialization, according to her, limits the ability of Nigerian MROs to attract the necessary financing, personnel, and equipment to operate effectively.
In addressing the financial challenges faced by Nigerian MROs, Sindy noted that, scale is a major issue, adding that, many MRO operations in the country are small in size and lack the capacity to handle multiple aircraft types efficiently.
These limitations force local airlines to seek services elsewhere, which undermines the viability of domestic MROs.
She criticized the tendency of some Nigerian MROs to overextend themselves by attempting to service all types of aircraft without adequate resources, asserting that businesses must be selective and strategic in their focus, rather than trying to serve everyone.
Sindy also touched on the role of the government in the MRO sector, arguing that its interference often stifles private sector growth.
She pointed out the impracticality of government proposals to establish MROs at every airport, a move she believes is neither feasible nor desirable.
Instead, Sindy advocated private sector-driven feasibility studies and business models to guide the development of the MRO sector.
Government involvement, she suggested, should be limited to facilitating land acquisition and supporting infrastructure, rather than dictating the specifics of MRO operations.
Another critical issue raised by Sindy is the absence of an ecosystem to support the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Unlike in other countries where aircraft and parts can be refurbished and sold, Nigeria lacks the facilities to maintain aircraft properly or to repurpose them when they reach the end of their service life.
The expert pointed to the example of Delta Airlines in the U.S., which has built a sophisticated MRO operation that allows for efficient maintenance and the strategic use of older aircraft.
She stressed that Nigeria needs to develop similar capabilities if it is to build a sustainable aviation sector.
Environmental sustainability is another area where Sindy sees room for improvement.
While acknowledging the global push to reduce carbon footprints, she cautioned against adopting policies that could stifle growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Instead, advocated for more pragmatic solutions, such as reusing and refurbishing parts to reduce import dependency, which would not only lower costs but also promote sustainability.
The expert’s remarks underscored the importance of long-term planning in the aviation sector, calling for the Nigerian government to step back from direct involvement in MRO operations and instead focus on creating a stable, long-term framework for growth.
She emphasized that MROs, like the wider aviation industry, cannot thrive under the short-term thinking imposed by political cycles.
In her final advice to Nigerian businesses looking to enter the MRO market, Sindy Foster stressed the need for domestication of foundational supplies.
She believes that localizing the production of parts and tools would reduce operational costs and increase efficiency and called for better governance and economic sustainability practices, noting that these elements are essential for attracting the external funding needed to drive growth in the sector.
Sindy Foster’s insights provide a roadmap for addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s MRO sector and her call for better data, strategic planning, and reduced government interference offers a vision of a more sustainable and profitable future for the industry.
However, achieving this vision will require collaboration between the government and the private sector, as well as a commitment to long-term planning and investment.
