BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria shone brilliantly on the global arena on Friday as Chinasa Unaegbunam, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and one of the country’s foremost aviation legal experts, earned a coveted seat on the Advisory Board of The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (HCAA).
The remarkable feat, disclosed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood in a statement, solidifies her position as a trailblazer in global aviation law and dispute resolution.
The HCAA, a globally renowned institution dedicated to advancing arbitration and mediation in the aviation industry, announced the appointments in a formal statement.
The 40-member Advisory Board is composed of distinguished professionals drawn from diverse areas of aviation law, mediation, and arbitration.
Among them are notable figures such as Claire McDermott, Mary Walker, Wade Thomson, and others, who collectively represent an unparalleled reservoir of expertise. Unaegbunam joins this elite team to advise on strategic approaches to resolving complex contractual disputes in the global aviation sector.
The Advisory Board operates in close collaboration with the Court’s Technical, Mediation, and Rules Standing Committees, offering critical insights and specialised expertise to the HCAA’s Board of Directors.
This collective effort is instrumental in shaping innovative dispute resolution frameworks tailored to the intricate dynamics of international aviation.
Aviation and legal commentators insist that Unaegbunam’s appointment is more than an individual accolade; but epitomises Nigeria’s growing stature in the global aviation and arbitration community.
Her unparalleled expertise and dedication to advancing the practice of aviation law reflect the exceptional talent emerging from Nigeria.
As the second aviation-focused SAN from Nigeria to earn this distinction, Unaegbunam’s achievement serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for aspiring professionals in the legal and aviation fields.
Her career trajectory exemplifies excellence, breaking barriers while setting new standards for others to follow.
The statement added that the appointment resonates deeply with Nigeria’s vision for the aviation sector, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth and global connectivity.
By aligning with international bodies like the HCAA, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering excellence, innovation, and collaboration in aviation law and arbitration.
