An aerospace engineer, Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, has called on Nigeria to prioritize the development of its indigenous aerospace industry, urging the nation to move beyond the culture of “assembled in Nigeria” to embrace “built in Nigeria.”
Balogun made the call on Wednesday at the 48th edition of the Kwara NUJ Media Parliament held at the NUJ Press Centre, Ilorin. The event was themed: “Nigeria’s Aerospace Potential: Innovation, Infrastructure and Indigenous Capacity.”
Balogun, who serves as the North Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees and is the Founder of ENACT Innovation Hub, stressed that no country can lay claim to true independence without investing in and building a self-reliant aerospace industry.
“We have the talent; we have the capacity. What remains is commitment and time. The most important thing is to have a long-term focus and investment in homegrown aerospace technology,” he declared.
According to him, the aerospace sector extends far beyond airplanes and airports, as it is a critical driver of innovation, infrastructure, national security, and even power generation.
He explained that Nigeria’s advancement in aerospace would not only strengthen its civil aviation sector but also boost military capacity and create thousands of jobs.
Balogun noted that Nigeria has already trained skilled personnel, and with the president’s recent approval of aerospace training centres across all six geopolitical zones, including Kwara State, the country is positioned for growth.
However, he lamented that the industry continues to struggle with outdated equipment and aging facilities.
“The aviation industry is always about people and their equipment. We have trained people, but the challenge remains equipment. Maintenance costs are high, and facilities are old. Still, our regulatory agencies deserve commendation for keeping the airspace safe,” he said.
Balogun welcomed recent government initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that steps have been taken to settle aviation debts and begin facility upgrades nationwide.
He described this as a positive sign that Nigeria is gradually revamping its aerospace sector, but cautioned that such progress would only be meaningful if matched with indigenous innovation and consistent investment.
“Aerospace is a job creator. It has civil and military components that are vital to our national security and development. We must not relent but remain focused until we get there,” he said.
