Ken Okeke
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin and Chairman of Air Peace Limited, Allen Onyema are the leading dignitaries billed to lead discussions at the 30th edition of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference schedule to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The conference, which has become Nigeria’s foremost aviation industry dialogue platform, will bring together top government officials, aviation regulators, airline operators, airport managers and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to deliberate on the theme: “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth.”
The event will witness the unveiling of the second edition of LAAC’s Champions of Aviation publication which chronicles the achievements and exploits of aviation agencies, airline operators, and other industry players. Keyamo is the Special Guest of Honour, while Babalakin will chair the event and Onyema, will deliver the keynote address, bringing his extensive industry experience to bear on discussions expected to shape policy recommendations for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Speaking on the forthcoming conference, Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, Mr. Wole Shadare, described this year’s theme as timely, noting that the aviation industry is at a critical point where government revenue expectations must be carefully balanced with policies that encourage investment, competitiveness and long-term sustainability. According to Shadare, “The aviation industry remains a strategic driver of economic development, trade, tourism and national integration. However, increasing fiscal pressures and multiple charges have continued to generate conversations about the need to strike a balance between government revenue generation and the growth of the industry.”
He added that the conference would provide a credible platform for robust engagement among policymakers, regulators and operators, with the objective of developing pragmatic recommendations that would support a more competitive and sustainable aviation sector. “We have assembled some of the most respected voices in the industry to examine these issues from different perspectives. We expect meaningful conversations that will ultimately contribute to policy reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem,” Shadare said.
On his part, Chairman of LAAC, Mr. Sulaiman Idris, affirmed the conference underscores the association’s commitment to promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the aviation industry through constructive engagement with stakeholders. He noted that for three decades, the annual conference has served as an important platform for shaping conversations around aviation development and policy in Nigeria.
“Our annual conference has earned the confidence of industry stakeholders because it consistently addresses contemporary issues affecting aviation. As we mark the 30th edition, we remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports sustainable growth, enhances operational efficiency and promotes policies that will make Nigeria’s aviation industry more competitive,” he said.
He urged aviation professionals, government agencies, private operators, financial institutions, and members of the public with an interest in aviation to participate in the conference. The 30th LAAC Annual Conference is expected to attract a broad spectrum of participants from across the aviation value chain, with discussions focusing on sustainable financing, regulatory policies, investment climate, infrastructure development, operational efficiency and strategies for ensuring that government’s efforts at ramping up revenue do not undermine the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.