BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) shone brilliantly at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), earning a Special Recognition Award for its enduring role in shaping Nigeria’s aviation and travel landscape.
The five-day landmark AGM, Conference and Exhibition, held in Ibadan from April 14 to 18, 2026, marked NANTA’s Golden Jubilee and drew key players across aviation, tourism and travel sectors.
Anchored on the theme, “Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Travel Ambassadors,” the event was designed to deepen regional economic integration, promote cultural tourism and reposition Nigeria more competitively within the global travel ecosystem.
The highlight came during the Dinner and Award Night at the Jogor Event Centre, where LAAC was honoured for its sustained contributions to the growth and visibility of Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and travel industries.
The award was presented by NANTA’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Adelola Adewole, on behalf of the association.
Receiving the award, LAAC General Secretary, Anthony Awunor, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the association’s commitment to professionalism and industry development.
“I thank NANTA for this honour. It shows that the association remains objective in its approach. We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure sustained growth across the industry,” Awunor said.
He reiterated LAAC’s resolve to deepen engagement with stakeholders, stressing that credible media coverage and informed reportage remain critical to policy alignment, transparency and sustainable growth in the aviation and travel sectors.
Industry observers say the recognition underscores the increasingly strategic role of aviation correspondents in shaping public discourse, influencing policy direction and bridging communication gaps between regulators, operators and the travelling public.
Earlier in his address, NANTA President, Yinka Folami, framed the association’s 50-year journey as a legacy of resilience, advocacy and industry leadership.
“Fifty years is not just a number; it is a legacy,” Folami declared, noting that NANTA has remained the organized voice of Nigeria’s downstream travel trade while championing industry standards and regulatory compliance.
According to him, the association’s current leadership is driven by a three-pronged agenda focused on fair play, market protection and market strengthening, with emphasis on transparency, accountability and equity across the sector.
He added that NANTA continues to maintain strong engagement with government institutions on policy, taxation and regulatory frameworks, while also fostering partnerships with airlines, tourism agencies and international stakeholders to build a more coordinated travel ecosystem.
Folami further highlighted the association’s advocacy role in shaping conversations around cross-border travel regulations and compliance systems, positioning NANTA as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s evolving travel economy.
Beyond the awards, the Golden Jubilee event featured a robust lineup of activities, including cocktail receptions, guided tours of Ibadan’s cultural landmarks, tourism asset inspections and technical sessions aimed at unlocking investment opportunities within the Western Zone.
Participants noted that the choice of Ibadan—widely regarded as the “City of Firsts”—reinforced the event’s cultural undertone, while also showcasing the city’s untapped tourism and economic potential.
For LAAC, the recognition adds to its growing profile as Nigeria’s foremost aviation media umbrella body, tasked with promoting professional reporting and ensuring consistent, high-quality coverage of the aviation sector.
As the aviation and travel industries continue to evolve amid shifting global dynamics, stakeholders say stronger collaboration between media, operators and regulators, championed by groups like LAAC, will remain critical to sustaining growth and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
