BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has announced plans to host its 2026 induction ceremony in May, where a new class of aviation pioneers will be honoured for their enduring impact on Nigeria’s aerospace sector.
The event, which marks the second edition of the initiative, will celebrate “esteemed aviators… recognising their dedication, achievements, and service to the industry,” according to organisers.
It is expected to spotlight individuals whose contributions have helped shape not only Nigeria’s aviation landscape but also the broader African aerospace ecosystem.
Positioned as the highlight of the Aviation Hall of Fame Forum, the ceremony will convene policymakers, airline executives, and global stakeholders in a showcase of excellence, innovation, and resilience within the industry.
Organisers say this year’s honourees will reflect a generation of professionals who have upheld safety standards and driven growth in a sector that has undergone significant transformation in recent decades.
Adding that the full list of inductees will be released in phases in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.
“We are proud to celebrate these industry leaders and enshrine them in the Nigeria Aviation Hall of Fame,” said Wole Shadare, Co-Organiser of NAHF.
He added: “Their contributions have shaped the course of Nigerian aviation, and we aim to honour their legacy for posterity.
Induction into the Nigerian Aviation Hall of Fame is the highest honour our domestic industry can bestow on individuals who sacrificed their lives, time and resources for the development the country’s aviation has witnessed in the last 60 years.”
Nominations for the 2026 edition are currently ongoing, with a panel of seasoned aviation professionals tasked with reviewing submissions and identifying individuals with outstanding records and measurable impact on the industry.
The maiden edition of the Hall of Fame featured notable figures such as Robert Hayes, Harold Demuren, Dele Ore, Bernard Olumuyiwa Aliu, Anastasia Gbem, and Jerry Eyituoyo Agbeyegbe, whose legacies continue to influence the sector.
To amplify the significance of the 2026 edition, organisers revealed that portraits of inductees will be displayed at major airports nationwide, while a commemorative magazine chronicling their achievements and key industry milestones will also be published.
The upcoming ceremony is expected to attract a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including aviation professionals, regulators, and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.
The NAHF, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation, was established to recognise excellence, patriotism, and long-standing contributions within Nigeria’s aviation industry, while inspiring higher standards of dedication across the sector.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
