The Federal Government has said that production of airplanes in Nigeria will commence before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office in 2023.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika stated this on an inspection visit to the Magnus Aircraft Industry in Pogany, Hungary.

He hinted that Nigeria will partner with the Hungarian firm to begin the production., Guardian reports.

“If we venture with them, we may start with assembling plant and later manufacturing”, the ministry’s spokesman James Odaudu, quoted him in a statement.

Giving an appraisal of the Magnus aircraft, Sirika said it is lightweight, good for military training, made of high-strength composite materials and has an aerobatic manoeuvre.

According to the minister, it uses normal car petrol and outperforms any training aircraft of its kind.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the features and readiness to facilitate the production in the country.

Sirika said the partnership will boost the growth of Nigeria as a regional aviation super power as maintenance and repair facilities will attract patronage from neighbouring countries.