Nigeria (MNN) – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is preparing to establish a new ministry base in Nigeria. And the need is critical. In northern Nigeria, extremist attacks and poor infrastructure make travel difficult and dangerous – particularly for Christians targeted for their faith.
The opportunity began when Egby Medical Mission, a hospital in Nigeria, asked MAF to partner with their work in the country.
(Photo courtesy of MAF)
Andrew Sutton, MAF’s Nigeria Country Director, says, “There’s a lot in the news about Nigeria – the persecution that occurs there, some of the extreme terrorism that they’ve been dealing with for the last 20 years – and we’ve seen how MAF can come alongside groups that are working there in Nigeria to help overcome these obstacles, whether that’s challenges on the road or insecurity that they’re facing.
“The airplane is just a great tool to kind of help the ministry that’s already happening on the ground in Nigeria.”
The ministry plans to launch operations from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. Long-term, MAF hopes to connect remote communities through smaller airstrips closer to hospitals, schools, and ministry partners.
Andrew Sutton, left, MAF’s new Nigeria Country Director, and unidentified person from Egbe hospital, check out the airstrip being rebuilt for the hospital and MAF. (Photo courtesy of MAF)
Sutton explains those flights would meet a wide range of needs.
“Some of the requests that we’ve heard so far, it seems like the majority of those are transporting people around the country, and that could be people that need to just travel from one village to another. Sometimes those are medical flights…. also flying supplies, whether that’s for a school or a hospital.”
MAF has already cleared many administrative hurdles, but several key steps remain before flights can begin.
They hope to begin operating in Nigeria by early 2027, flying aid and ministry support in Jesus’ name. One major answer to prayer has already arrived: a donated 2025 Cessna Caravan valued at roughly $3.6 million.
“Even though some days it might feel like there’s a lot of steps left with all the regulatory process, seeing how the Lord has provided for the aircraft is a great encouragement.”
However, prayer is still needed as MAF works through the final approvals.
(Photo courtesy of MAF)
Sutton asks, “Pray through this process as we’re working through the civil aviation approval process to have visas for the country. The visas are probably the number one need at the moment, so that we can be there in the country and to help set up and to get ready for the aircraft coming over.
“Then ultimately [pray] for the airplane…. This is a big country, and it’s only one aircraft. But the Lord can work through this and to use this tool to reach inside the country.”
Find ways to support MAF’s critical Gospel aviation work here.
Header photo: Stock photo courtesy of MAF Guinea.
