BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria has declared its readiness to host the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition scheduled for September 2026.
The readiness was reinforced when the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received the Secretary General of ACI Africa, Mr. Alli Tounsi, in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting marked a major step in the country’s preparations for the high-profile continental aviation gathering.
Mr. Tounsi’s visit was part of a technical and diplomatic assessment mission undertaken alongside senior executives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), including its Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire; and Director of Commercials and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade.
Speaking during the engagement, the ACI Africa Secretary General highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance in the continent’s aviation ecosystem and the strong justification for the country’s selection as host.
“Nigeria must host this next Acrobatics Regional Conference. “BAGASSO is already in Nigeria, and it is only right that ACI Africa is here too”, he said.
Responding, Keyamo assured the visiting delegation of Nigeria’s commitment to delivering a world-class event.
He described the conference as an opportunity to showcase the nation’s aviation reforms and emerging global standards.
“We accept wholeheartedly to host. Nigeria has the capacity, the infrastructure, and the commitment to deliver a world-class conference. You can count on us”, he noted.
The FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, provided further insights into Nigeria’s early preparation plans.
She confirmed that although the Abuja conference is tentatively fixed for September 2026, the country is taking proactive steps to ensure seamless organisation and exceptional hospitality for delegates.
She added that discussions have commenced with a leading five-star hotel currently undergoing major renovations to serve as one of the primary venues for the event.
“All hands are on deck. We are confident that we have ample time for comprehensive planning.
The hotel management has assured us that their upgrades will be completed by April next year, and the facility’s standards will match the calibre of this global aviation event.”
The visit signifies growing confidence in Nigeria’s aviation leadership and reflects its increasingly prominent role in shaping continental aviation policy and infrastructure development.
It also strengthens the ties between ACI Africa and Nigerian aviation institutions ahead of next year’s landmark gathering.
The ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition is expected to attract top aviation regulators, airport executives, industry investors, and global partners, offering Nigeria a prime platform to project its advancements and deepen sectoral collaborations across Africa.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
