Chief Remi Makanjuola, Chairman of Caverton Helicopters is a man dedicated to excellence, vision and commitment to the development of Nigeria’s Aviation Industry and providing top-tier aviation services to the oil and gas sector, providing a very insightful and enjoyable experience to its clients.
Chief Makanjuola opened shop for business with one Agusta 109 Helicopter in September 2002. In that year, recognizing a significant gap in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly in offshore support for the oil and gas industry, Chief Makanjuola founded Caverton Helicopters. The company was established to bridge the existing void in onshore helicopter services and soon expanded its operations to offer offshore support. Operating from a state-of-the-art 10,000 square meter flight facility at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Caverton Helicopters quickly positioned itself as a leading indigenous oilfield services company in Nigeria.
Mkanjuola’s leadership style is characterized by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community development. His ability to identify opportunities and implement strategic initiatives has been pivotal in Caverton’s rise as a formidable player in Nigeria’s aviation sector. As a result of these qualities, he has been able to attract and retain top human resources. And over years, he has progressively expanded the frontiers of operation of Caverton Helicopters.
Under Chief Makanjuola’s visionary leadership, Caverton Helicopters embarked on an ambitious expansion and modernization program. In 2018, the company unveiled a fleet of 11 brand-new helicopters, including the state-of-the-art Bell 407 GXP and the reliable Bell 412 EP. These acquisitions were part of a contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture, underscoring Caverton’s commitment to providing top-tier aviation services to the oil and gas sector.
Chief Makanjuola’s dedication to excellence is further exemplified by Caverton’s investment in training and maintenance infrastructure. The company established the Caverton Aviation Training Centre at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, featuring the first helicopter level D Full-Flight Simulator in Africa. This facility enables pilots to undergo comprehensive training in a realistic virtual environment, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Additionally, Caverton’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility has been recognized as a game-changer in the Nigerian aviation industry. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by highly skilled professionals, the MRO facility ensures that aircraft are maintained to the highest standards, thereby promoting safety and reliability in aviation operations.
In February, 2024, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu, was at Caverton MRO Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. He commended Caverton Helicopters for placing Nigeria and Africa on the global map among the committee of reliable, dependable, and standard wise aviation industries in the world.
The NASENI boss made the statement during a tour of Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc and the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NASENI and Caverton, for the establishment of a Drone Assembly Plant, Drone Training School, and a Service Centre for helicopters.
According to him, “it has been a privilege visiting, receiving a detailed tour of the Caverton premises and seeing first-hand the important work that it does at the centre.”
A statement quoted Halilu as saying, “I am very inspired by what I have seen today. It is a testament to the can-do Nigerian spirit. From modest beginnings you have built a successful business that continues to grow, and to adopt and deploy world-class technology, processes and talent to place Nigeria on the global aviation map.
At NASENI, we are always looking to engage with players at the cutting-edge of technology and innovation in Nigeria, especially across our focus areas of Defence and Aerospace; Engineering and Manufacturing; Renewable Energy and Sustainability; Health and Biotechnology; Agriculture and Food Sustainable; Transportation and Mobility; Education and Creative Industry; IT and Software; and Construction and Smart Cities and I can say that we found a worthy partner in Caverton.”
“I look forward to what we will build and implement upon the framework of this important MOU. Today indeed marks the beginning of a transformational journey for NASENI, for Caverton, and for Nigeria.”
Responding, the Chief Operating Officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Rotimi Makanjuola, said he was delighted to welcome the august visitor to his company’s domain. “The whole idea is to reaffirm our partnership with NASENI. We have an MoU together and so the idea is to try and see which other way we can partner and collaborate
“We have MRO here, we have done third party work for the Air Force, the Navy and other foreign governments like in the Republic of Benin. We are talking with Senegal, we are talking with Ivory Coast to have our support in training their helicopter pilots. I think it is something we can do in Nigeria as well. This is true, indeed.
And this became a reality five years ago, Makajuola unveiled the Full Flight Simulator at the Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) and training facility of Caverton Helicopters. That event took Peter Hitchcock, Vice President of Training & Simulation at Thales to Nigeria. Also on ground was Mr Reisar, French Minister of Trade at that time.
With what happened that day , the Thales Reality H full-flight simulator, regarded as one of the most advanced commercial helicopter simulators in the world, became operational at the company’s Ikeja base. The first Level D full flight simulator in Africa allows pilots to train in complete safety for a variety of complex situations, including adverse weather conditions, helicopter failures and such other emergencies that could occur during flight operations. Besides, it will not only provide the needed services to helicopters that operate in Nigeria, it will also save our country over $500 million foreign exchange in maintenance, training and spares annually.
“We have safely finalized the shipping, commissioning and acceptance of the first level D full flight helicopter simulator in Africa, representing a major milestone in the continued effort to improve the efficiency and safety of flight operations.” Said Hitchcock at that time. He expressed satisfaction about working with Caverton, despite uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic at that time.
Mr Riester who represented the French government, reaffirmed Hitchcock statement.
“This amazing simulator is another illustration of a success story between France and Nigeria and the strength of the partnership between Thales and Caverton. Supported by Bpifrance on export credit, this project involves unprecedented top technology at the scale of Africa, allowing Nigeria to fulfill its ambition to become the training hub of the region.”
True statement indeed. With that MRO facility on ground, Caverton Helicopters spread operational bases across Nigeria and Cameroon and a staff strength with many pilots and engineers. And the company has been able to provide a wide array of services to the offshore oil and gas industry as well as other business sectors including marine and coastal surveillance, emergency medical evacuation, search and rescue. From one Agusta 109 Helicopter in September 2002, Caverton currently operates a mixed fleet of over 30 modern aircraft across multiple locations in West Africa. And since inception, Caverton has successfully operated for major International Oil Companies with a combined contract value of over $2 billion.
Caverton has really done well in a critical sector. But the MRO is the real deal on the watch of Chief Makajuola. And who is he?
Born into a lineage that valued education and service, Chief Remi Makanjuola pursued higher education in the United Kingdom. He attended the University of Leicester for his undergraduate studies and later obtained a master’s degree from the University of Manchester. This solid educational foundation equipped him with the knowledge and skills that would later define his illustrious career.
As he continues to lead Caverton Offshore Support Group, Chief Remi Makanjuola’s legacy serves as an inspiring testament to the impact of visionary leadership and altruism. His contributions have not only elevated Nigeria’s aviation industry but have also fostered educational advancement and community development, leaving an enduring imprint on the nation’s socio-economic landscape.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Chief Makanjuola has demonstrated a profound commitment to philanthropy, particularly in the field of education. In 2018, to honor the memory of his late mother, Alhaja Adiat Abegbe Makanjuola, he donated an ultra-modern 500-seat lecture hall to Summit University in Offa, Kwara State. This gesture not only commemorated his mother’s dedication to the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society but also provided a significant boost to the university’s infrastructure, enhancing the learning environment for countless students.
As Caverton helicopter continues to spread its wings further, its MRO facility draws world-wide ovation. The multifaceted maintenance facility can carry out major checks on engines, main gearbox, tail rotor gearbox and other parts of aircraft. It is also expected that Caverton facility will be the maintenance hub for West and Central Africa, as there is no other major maintenance for choppers that provide oil and gas shuttle and other services in Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire.
To the extent that present economic realities and escalating foreign exchange rates are making it increasingly challenging for Nigerian airline operators to carry out proper maintenance on their aircraft, the Caverton MRO project has come at a most fortuitous moment for the nation. With the average cost of a C or D check running into hundreds of thousands of dollars, there are already serious concerns for flight safety since airlines could, counting cost, begin to cut corners. The biting economic situation has already led to some airlines either being grounded or taking their services out of the country. The Caverton example has shown that with government’s support, local investors can create businesses that add value to our society and provide needed jobs.
The lessons from the Caverton story are many but two stand out. First, affirmative action, when well designed and accessed by genuine beneficiaries, can actually work in Nigeria. Had the federal government not put the local content law and policy in place, Caverton Helicopter might probably have remained another air-shuttle company. Credit is therefore due to President Goodluck Jonathan who signed the bill into law. Second, and, much more importantly, while Caverton needed that window to take off as a big company, it did not rest on its oars. This it has grown beyond a one-off contract with Shell and a marginal player in a sector dominated by two expatriate companies, to becoming a major player, while expanding outside of Nigeria into other areas of opportunity within the space. So beyond being a testimonial to local content, the continuing odyssey of Caverton is a tribute to the ingenuity of Nigerian enterprise.
Makanjuola provides a clear example of the main ingredients that serious minded businessmen need to succeed: tenacity, integrity and purposeful risk taking. This combination has made Caverton a clear leader in its field – to the glory of the nation. And his story provides ultimate lesson for those in authority is this: There are many Cavertons waiting to fly if only the government will pursue the right policies and create the environment to give them wings.