BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), will headline discussions at the 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) scheduled for September 10, 2026, in Lagos.
The conference, which will take place at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, is expected to bring together top government officials, aviation regulators, airline operators, airport managers, investors and other stakeholders to discuss ways of building a stronger and more sustainable aviation industry.
This year’s conference is themed “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth.”
The discussions will focus on how government can generate needed revenue without placing excessive financial pressure on airlines and other aviation businesses.
Keyamo will attend as the Special Guest of Honour, while Babalakin will chair the conference. Air Peace Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, will deliver the keynote address, where he is expected to share his views on policies needed to drive long-term growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
A major highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the second edition of LAAC’s Champions of Aviation publication, which celebrates the achievements of aviation agencies, airlines and other key players in the industry.
Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, Wole Shadare, said the theme was carefully chosen because the aviation sector is facing increasing financial and regulatory challenges.
According to him, “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.”
Shadare said the conference would provide an opportunity for policymakers, regulators and operators to openly discuss the challenges confronting the sector and agree on practical solutions.
He added: “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.”
Also speaking, LAAC Chairman, Sulaiman Idris, said the conference reflects the association’s commitment to promoting informed discussions that support the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
According to him, the annual conference has, over the past three decades, become one of the country’s most important platforms for discussing aviation policies and industry development.
“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,” Idris said.
He called on aviation professionals, government agencies, airline operators, airport managers, financial institutions and other interested stakeholders to attend the conference.
Organisers said this year’s edition is expected to attract participants from across the aviation value chain.
Discussions will cover key issues such as sustainable financing, regulatory reforms, investment opportunities, airport infrastructure, operational efficiency and policies that will ensure government revenue drives do not hinder the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
