Nigeria’s private aviation industry has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. From just 44 business jets operating in 2005, the fleet has expanded to 157 aircraft by 2024, a growth of over 350% that reflects both expanding wealth and the practical demands of doing business across Africa’s largest economy.
This isn’t just about luxury. When commercial flights are frequently delayed or routes don’t exist, private aviation becomes a business necessity. For executives managing operations across multiple West African countries, the difference between a three-day journey involving multiple connections and a direct four-hour flight can determine whether a deal succeeds or fails.
Behind this booming industry are Nigerian entrepreneurs who’ve built sophisticated aviation businesses from the ground up. Here are 11 visionaries who’ve shaped Nigeria’s private jet landscape and made executive air travel more accessible, efficient, and professional.
1. Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich – Founder & CEO, Elin Group Limited
Company: Elin Air
What Makes Them Stand Out: First African company to complete a complex D-check maintenance procedure without external support
Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich has built Elin Air into more than just a charter service; it’s become a comprehensive aviation solutions provider with serious technical capabilities. Her background in banking and finance, combined with advanced business education from Harvard and The George Washington University, brought a strategic approach to an industry often dominated by operational thinking.
What really set Elin Air apart was achieving what many thought impossible in Africa. In 2024, the company successfully completed a 7,800-mile maintenance check on a Bombardier Challenger CL604 entirely within Nigeria. This type of extensive maintenance, equivalent to a commercial airline’s “D check,” had never been done in Africa without bringing in foreign technicians or sending the aircraft overseas.
Elin Air operates through partnerships with global manufacturers, including Embraer, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, and Eurofly Service, bringing over a century of combined institutional experience to Nigerian aviation. Beyond flying jets, the company provides aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, and executive travel solutions, creating a one-stop shop for business aviation needs.
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2. Captain Edward Boyo – Founder & CEO, Overland Airways / Landover Company Limited
Company: Overland Airways
Aviation Experience: 30+ years
Key Achievement: Operating one of Nigeria’s oldest scheduled and charter airlines
Captain Boyo isn’t just an aviation executive; he’s an active airline transport pilot who still flies, giving him operational insights that pure businesspeople lack. With degrees in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, plus Flight Engineering certification from the FAA and pilot instructor credentials from Oxford Air Training School, Boyo bridges the technical and commercial sides of aviation.
Founded in 1998 and beginning operations in 2002, Overland Airways was built on a simple premise: connect Nigeria’s remote regions to major urban centers where commercial airlines don’t fly profitably. The airline operates turboprop and regional aircraft to domestic and West African destinations, filling gaps in regional connectivity that larger carriers ignore.
Beyond running an airline, Boyo founded Africa’s leading aviation development publication, Aviation & Allied Business Africa Journal (in circulation since 1993), and organizes the annual Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference. He also serves as Director of Studies at the Landover Aviation Business School, an IATA Regional Training Centre, and chairs the International Aviation College in Ilorin, Nigeria’s first private professional pilot training institution.
3. Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi – Chairman & CEO, Nestoil Group / Nesto Aviation Services
Company: Nesto Aviation Services Limited (NestAv)
Founded: August 2013
Specialty: VIP charter and offshore oil & gas logistics
Dr. Obiejesi built his fortune in oil and gas engineering before expanding into aviation. As chairman of Nestoil Group, one of West Africa’s leading indigenous engineering conglomerates, he understood the logistical challenges of operating across Nigeria’s oil-producing regions where infrastructure is limited.
He holds a Bachelor’s and MBA in Accounting from the University of Benin, plus an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He’s also an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
NestAv was established as the aviation arm of the Obijackson Group, specifically to support the upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors. The company operates both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, providing critical offshore logistics support where helicopters are often the only practical transportation option. Beyond oil and gas clients, NestAv serves VIP and corporate charter customers for both scheduled and non-scheduled operations throughout Nigeria and internationally.
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4. Captain Ahmed Borodo – Founder & CEO, Flybird Aviation
Company: Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited
Founded: 2023
Recent Achievement: Received AMO certification and UAV/RPAS certification in 2025
Captain Borodo represents the new generation of Nigerian aviation entrepreneurs, commercially minded pilots who saw opportunities to professionalize and modernize business aviation services. Before founding Flybird, he flew commercially for Virgin Nigeria Airways, Gyro Air, and Azman Air Services.
His educational background combines a Bachelor’s in Accounting with a Master’s in Development Studies from Ado Bayero University, Kano, plus FAA Private Pilot License and Commercial Multi-Engine Certifications from FlightSafety International in the United States.
Despite being relatively new (founded in 2023), Flybird has moved aggressively to establish credibility. The company offers a guaranteed one-hour response time for domestic bookings, a commitment to responsiveness that sets it apart in an industry where last-minute changes are common.
In 2025, Flybird achieved two major certifications: Approved Maintenance Organization status from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (allowing comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul work) and UAV/RPAS certification authorizing drone operations. This positions Flybird to serve emerging markets like infrastructure inspection, mapping, environmental monitoring, and security services beyond traditional charter operations.
5. Wisdom Eseme Ntoto – Founder & CEO, Jetlyfe Aviation Ltd
Company: Jetlyfe Aviation Ltd
Innovation: Mobile platform for private jet sharing and on-demand charter
Community Initiative: The Jet Gala and Future Aviators programme
Ntoto saw an opportunity to democratize private aviation through technology. While traditional charter services required booking an entire aircraft, Jetlyfe’s 2019 platform launch aimed to enable single-seat bookings across a network of over 50 private jets in Nigeria, making executive air travel more accessible to individuals who don’t need a full aircraft.
Jetlyfe has positioned itself as more than a charter service; it’s a lifestyle brand. In 2023, the company hosted The Jet Gala, bringing together private jet owners, flyers, and industry stakeholders to build a community around private aviation. The same year, Jetlyfe launched its Future Aviators programme, designed to inspire and educate the next generation of Nigerian pilots and aviation professionals.
The company’s digital-first approach reflects broader trends in the global aviation industry, where apps and platforms are transforming how private jet services are accessed and consumed.
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6. Samuel Salihu – Founder & CEO, Private Business Jet Charter
Company: Private Business Jet Charter (PB Jet Charter)
Aviation Experience: 15+ years of flying experience
Training: South Africa
Fleet Highlights: Legacy 600/650, Hawker 800XP, Challenger 604/605, Falcon 900DX
Samuel Salihu built his company on deep operational experience. As a former Senior First Officer with Bristow Helicopters and First Officer with Air Peace and Sky Jet Aviation (including Embraer ERJ-135/145 operations), Salihu knows both rotary and fixed-wing operations from the cockpit.
Founded in June 2020, PB Jet Charter operates from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, with additional operations in Lagos and an international branch in Cotonou, Benin. This multi-city presence enables the company to serve clients across West Africa’s business corridors.
The company’s value proposition centers on flexibility: travelers set their own departure times, select preferred airports, and access on-demand flights without commercial airline constraints. PB Jet Charter’s diverse fleet, from the Phenom 300 for regional hops to the Legacy 650 for intercontinental travel, allows matching aircraft to mission requirements.
7. Atedo Peterside – Founder & Chairman, Anap Business Jets Limited
Company: Anap Business Jets Limited (Anap Jets)
Founded: 2014, began operations in 2015
Innovation: Africa’s first fractional ownership platform for private jets
Background: Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank
Atedo Peterside brought investment banking discipline to private aviation. At age 33, he founded Investment Banking & Trust Company (IBTC), which eventually became Stanbic IBTC Bank, one of Nigeria’s most respected financial institutions. His economics degrees from City University London and the London School of Economics, plus Harvard Business School executive education, gave him the analytical tools to identify inefficiencies in traditional jet ownership.
The problem was clear: most high-net-worth individuals and medium-sized companies cannot fully utilize a private jet by themselves, making 100% ownership financially wasteful. Even Warren Buffett famously said he couldn’t justify buying a complete private jet, but could justify buying a fraction of one.
Anap Jets pioneered fractional ownership in Africa, allowing clients to purchase 1/4, 1/8, or 1/16 shares in brand-new Embraer aircraft. This dramatically reduces upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses while providing guaranteed flying hours and on-demand access. The company’s fleet includes Phenom 300/300E aircraft for regional travel and Legacy 600 and ERJ-145 jets for longer-range operations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
Peterside emphasizes that Anap Jets isn’t selling luxury, it’s selling functionality and convenience as a business tool, not for wasteful oligarchs seeking opulence. The self-financing business model means aircraft are only purchased as fast as fractional owners commit, avoiding the financial mismatches that have destroyed aviation companies.
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8. Sam Iwuajoku – Founder & CEO, Quits Aviation Services / ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria
Company: Quits Aviation Services
Founded: 2008
Achievement: Built West Africa’s first world-class general aviation services facility
Partnership: Hosts ExecuJet Aviation Group operations
Sam Iwuajoku’s journey into aviation began with a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of California, followed by successful ventures in oil and gas, steel trading, and bulk commodities through companies like Steelman Nigeria Ltd., Intercity Commodities Ltd., and Corporate Oil and Gas Ltd.
His entry into aviation started simply, purchasing a Hawker 800 business jet in the late 1990s. This personal aircraft ownership evolved into a vision for a comprehensive aviation infrastructure that Nigeria lacked.
In 2008, Iwuajoku founded Quits Aviation Services, followed by Afri Infrastructure Development in 2011. Through these entities, he developed and now operates the first world-class general aviation services facility at Lagos International Airport, in partnership with the global ExecuJet Aviation Group.
Three years ago, ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria became Gulfstream’s first authorized warranty facility in Nigeria, enabling local warranty, maintenance, and spare parts support for high-end Gulfstream jets, eliminating the need to ferry aircraft overseas for servicing. Forbes has featured Iwuajoku among Nigeria’s unknown multimillionaires.
9. Chukwuerika Achum – Founder & CEO, Falcon Aerospace Limited
Company: Falcon Aerospace Limited (FlyPJX, CharterXE, VivaJets)
Founded: 2022
Recent Milestone: $10 million financing facility in 2025
Education: Master’s in Transport Management (Aviation) from LAUTECH
Chukwuerika Achum represents the technically trained aviation professional turned entrepreneur. His Master’s degree in Transport Management with aviation specialization from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (2020), plus specialized training in Aviation Safety Management from USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering (2014), gave him deep industry knowledge.
He started from the operational trenches as a flight dispatcher with Chanchangi Airlines and Associated Aviation, then through technical and instructional roles at the International Aviation College in Ilorin and Landover Aviation School. This hands-on experience in flight operations, safety systems, and regulatory compliance informed his entrepreneurial vision.
In 2022, Achum launched Falcon Aerospace Limited with an innovative three-pronged approach: VivaJets handles full-service business aviation, including aircraft management, charter, and leasing; CharterXE offers a digital charter booking platform to simplify private jet access; and FlyPJX broke new ground, offering per-seat bookings on business jets, targeting customers beyond traditional high-net-worth clients.
In 2025, VivaJets secured a rare $10 million financing facility to expand operations and fleet capacity, one of the few structured aviation financings for a Nigerian operator. The company has received its Air Operators Certificate from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, enabling commercial operations and supporting regional connectivity initiatives.
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10. Segun Demuren – Founder & CEO, EAN Aviation / EAN Aero Fleet
Company: Evergreen Apple Nigeria Ltd (EAN Aviation/EAN Aero Fleet)
Founded: 2009
Key Achievement: Nigeria’s first fixed-base operator and aviation service center
Background: Business Systems Analyst at AllianceBernstein
Segun Demuren’s path to aviation came through information systems and business analysis. With a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Marist University (USA), plus IATA Advanced Management Program training at Nanyang Technological University and Lagos Business School executive programs, Demuren combined technical and business expertise.
Before aviation, he worked as a Business Systems Analyst with AllianceBernstein and led Evergreen Apple Mining, developing mining operations before transitioning to aviation services.
In 2009, Demuren identified a critical gap: Nigeria lacked proper infrastructure for private jet operations. He founded EAN Aviation and built the country’s first fixed-base operator and aviation service center adjacent to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The EAN Hangar Jet Centre provides what was previously unavailable in West Africa: VIP lounges, hangar services, ground handling, executive dispatch, and a luxury terminal experience specifically for private jet clients. Today, the facility offers comprehensive aircraft management, sales and acquisition assistance, charter services, finance solutions, and aircraft maintenance, everything under one roof.
This one-stop-shop approach makes EAN Aviation particularly attractive to new jet owners who need reliable infrastructure to support their aircraft operations.
11. Yemi MacGregor – Founder & CEO, Stargate Jets Services Limited
Company: Stargate Jets Services Limited
Founded: February 2013
Expansion: Launched Stargate Chauffeur Services in 2018
Education: B.Sc. Civil Engineering, University of Lagos
Yemi MacGregor built Stargate Jets on an integrated luxury transport model. With a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Lagos, MacGregor brought systematic thinking to aviation service delivery.
Founded in February 2013 and headquartered in Lagos, Stargate Jets provides private jet charter and comprehensive aviation support across Nigeria and international routes. The company has handling capability at all Nigerian airports and partnerships with agents in major global aviation hubs, enabling seamless international operations.
Stargate’s charter portfolio includes Legacy 600, Falcon 900DX, Embraer ERJ-135, Hawker 800XP, and Challenger 605 aircraft, offering options for different mission profiles from executive travel to corporate events and special-purpose flights.
In 2018, MacGregor expanded the brand with Stargate Chauffeur Services, operating a fleet of executive Mercedes-Benz vehicles providing airport transfers, corporate travel, and event transportation. This land-air integration means clients can book complete door-to-door travel experiences, not just the flight segment, a level of service integration uncommon in African aviation.
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The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
Nigeria’s private aviation industry has matured from a handful of individuals owning jets for prestige into a professional services sector with sophisticated offerings. These 11 entrepreneurs represent different approaches to the same challenge: making executive air travel work efficiently in a continent where commercial aviation often falls short.
Some focused on fractional ownership to reduce costs. Others built a comprehensive infrastructure. Some pioneered digital platforms while others specialized in technical capabilities or integrated transport solutions. Together, they’ve created an industry that supports business development, connects remote regions, and positions Nigeria as Africa’s third-largest private aviation market.
For Nigeria’s business community, this means more options, better service, and competitive pricing. For the broader economy, it means executives can manage operations across multiple countries efficiently, investments can reach regions commercial airlines don’t serve, and African aviation expertise continues to grow.
The dramatic expansion from 44 to 157 aircraft over two decades isn’t just about wealth; it reflects fundamental changes in how business gets done across Africa’s largest economy.
