Nigeria announces plans to certify China’s C919 jet for domestic airline use amid warming ties with Beijing

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s civil aviation authority has announced plans to consider certifying China’s Comac C919 narrow-body jet for use by the country’s domestic airlines.

This potential certification signals a significant step as Nigerian carriers expand and relations with China deepen.

The C919, developed by state-owned Comac, is designed to rival major Western aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.

The Nigerian authorities are exploring the months-long certification process despite the aircraft lacking validation from leading Western regulators like the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Europe’s EASA.

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, told media outlets recognizes the challenges but is starting the certification process to allow domestic operation of the jet locally.

The process includes thorough regulatory scrutiny to meet international safety and operational standards.

Comac has been actively engaged in discussions with Nigerian officials and is offering maintenance, training programs, and dry-lease arrangements, which allow airlines to lease aircraft without crew, to facilitate market entry.

Nigerian airlines are interested but cautious, seeking assurances of long-term support and regulatory approval before committing.

The C919 program faces obstacles globally. It lacks certification from major Western authorities, and deliveries have been delayed, with production targets lowered recently from 75 to 25 units for 2025.

Trade disputes have also caused temporary export restrictions on the CFM International engines powering the aircraft.

Nigeria’s aviation market, with over 230 million people, presents significant growth potential.

The nation has also recently improved its Aviation Working Group rating, reflecting better compliance with international leasing conventions, which boosts confidence among lessors.

Though the certification may enable Nigerian airlines to diversify their fleets and reduce dependency on Western-made jets, challenges in approving the aircraft remain.

International leasing and insurance bodies typically require recognized certification for coverage, adding complexity to C919 adoption.

If certified, the C919 could mark the introduction of Chinese aerospace technology into Africa’s largest aviation market.

Nigeria’s initiative aligns with a broader trend of diversifying suppliers and strengthening ties with China amid evolving geopolitical and economic landscapes.

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