BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria’s aviation community came together on August 7, 2025, to celebrate one of its most enduring icons, Elder Engineer (Dr.) Sunday Kayode Solomon Olubadewo, whose pioneering work in aircraft maintenance has shaped the nation’s aviation history for over half a century.
At the 29th edition of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference, held at the Providence Hotel, Lagos recently, Elder Olubadewo was presented with the Distinguished Honourary Award as Nigeria’s Foremost Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
The award recognised him as one of the “Champions of Aviation Development” for his groundbreaking achievements and lifelong service to the sector.
The award was accepted on his behalf by his son, Capt. David Olubadewo, and presented by renowned tourism expert and founder of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, Amb. Ikechi Uko, who described the recognition as “a celebration of a man whose exploits and dedication helped lay the foundation for Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
Born on September 17, 1933, in Oro Ago, Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, Elder SKS Olubadewo’s career trajectory reflects a journey of relentless innovation and leadership. He trained both in Nigeria and overseas, becoming one of Nigeria’s first licensed aircraft engineers.
In a landmark achievement between 1967 and 1970, he served in a key technical role under the ICAO/UNDP programme — without an expatriate counterpart — a rare feat for a Nigerian engineer at the time.
Not content with personal milestones, he ventured into freelance engineering, leading to the establishment of General & Aviation Services (GAS), which provided critical maintenance and ground support for institutions such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria (now NCAT).
Elder Olubadewo’s entrepreneurial foresight saw him pioneer one of Nigeria’s first private airlines — GAS Airline Limited — before expanding into the UK with GAS Airline Express and GAS Air Cargo.
His companies, including Airline Management Support Limited, Aerospeed Oil Limited, and Starburst Aviation UK Limited, have become a vital supply chain lifeline for aviation consumables in West and Central Africa.
Remarkably, at 92, he still chairs multiple aviation companies, continuing to influence the sector and mentor the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs.
The LAAC conference, themed “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects” and chaired by AMCON Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gbenga Alade, also honoured other industry stalwarts.
Recipients included the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; former NCAA Director General, Dr. Harold Demuren; current NCAA Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo; NAMA MD, Engineer Farouk Umar; Air Peace Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema; BASL Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin; and CITA Energies Chairman, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe.
Elder SKS Olubadewo’s name will forever be etched in the annals of African aviation, not just as an engineer, but as a trailblazer who turned vision into legacy.
