The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo, the chief executive officer of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Gbenga Alade and the chairman of Sabre, Dr. Gbenga Olowo are billed to lead the discussion at the 29th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025, at The Providence Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The event will also be graced by an array of leaders, financial experts, regulators, and policymakers in the aviation industry.
According to the statement by the chairman and secretary of the League’s organizing committee, Messrs Wole Shadare and Teroo Agber, the conference will be held under the theme ‘Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The risks, opportunities and prospects’ and “will provide a strategic platform for robust discussions on funding mechanisms and investment models for Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
The release said Keyamo will attend as special guest of honour, reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening financing frameworks across the aviation ecosystem, while the director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Najomo will deliver a goodwill message, “highlighting the pivotal role of the Authority in ensuring a robust and investor-friendly regulatory climate.”
The statement also said Alade “will chair the event, bringing his extensive experience in financial management and restructuring to bear on discussions,” while the renowned aviation economist, Olowo, “whose thoughts and leadership in airline economics and travel distribution has shaped industry conversations over the years,” will add spice to the deliberations.
The conference will also feature a rich panel of industry experts drawn from a cross-section of the aviation value chain, including airline operators, airport management authorities, ground handling and service providers, aviation fuel suppliers and marketers, travel and tourism stakeholders, financial and insurance institutions, and investment advisors and leasing companies.
“The 2025 edition marks a significant milestone in the association’s contribution to aviation development:
“Our 29th annual conference is a timely intervention that aligns with ongoing reforms in the aviation industry. It will examine new opportunities and address long-standing bottlenecks that hinder sustainable financing. More importantly, it offers a forum where decision-makers and stakeholders can build consensus for the sector’s future,” the statement added.
As part of the conference, LAAC will also unveil a commemorative publication entitled ‘Celebrating Champions of Aviation Development’, a special compendium profiling notable individuals, institutions and state governments that have played transformative roles in Nigeria’s aviation sector since 1999.
Discussions at the conference will explore key thematic areas, including airport infrastructure development, aircraft leasing and financing mechanisms, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) funding, aviation fuel supply and pricing strategies, regulatory reforms and consumer protection, navigational infrastructure and airspace management, and insurance, risk management, and sectoral investment incentives
The event has attracted endorsements and participation pledges from all aviation agencies, domestic and international airlines, ground handling companies, state governments, financial institutions, and travel sector professionals, confirming its relevance and growing influence as a premier platform for industry engagement.
“The League remains committed to fostering constructive dialogue, shaping public policy, and celebrating those who continue to champion Nigeria’s aviation transformation,” Shadare and Agber wrote.
