Minister, stakeholders to discuss aviation financing at LAAC conference

The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) is set to host its 29th Annual Conference on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The event will bring together top-tier aviation stakeholders from across the country and beyond for strategic deliberations on a theme of critical national importance: “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects. “This […]

The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) is set to host its 29th Annual Conference on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The event will bring together top-tier aviation stakeholders from across the country and beyond for strategic deliberations on a theme of critical national importance: “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects.

“This year’s edition of the LAAC Conference stands out as a landmark gathering, providing a vital forum for policy makers, regulators, airline operators, financial institutions, airport managers, insurance firms, service providers, and other stakeholders to address key challenges and prospects in the aviation sector.

The conference will also feature the launch of a commemorative publication titled: “Celebrating Champions of Aviation Development”, which aims to recognise individuals, organisations, and state governments that have played transformative roles in advancing the aviation sector since the return to democratic governance in 1999.

Highlighting the significance of the conference, Mr Wole Shadare, Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, said, “Our 29th annual conference is not just another industry event; it is a platform for constructive dialogue and a rallying point for shaping the future of aviation in Nigeria through sustainable financing and investment models. We are proud to be honouring those who have contributed immensely to aviation development over the last two decades. ”The conference will cover a wide range of issues central to Nigeria’s aviation development, including: Airport Infrastructure Development; Aircraft Leasing and Financing Mechanisms; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Funding; Aviation Fuel Supply and Pricing; Regulatory Reforms and Consumer Protection; Navigational Infrastructure and Airspace Management; Insurance, Risk Management and Sectoral Investment Strategies.

In recognition of the critical role of financing in sectoral growth, leading Nigerian banks and financial institutions have confirmed their active participation in this year’s conference.

Mr Gbenga Alade, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), will chair the event, bringing his extensive experience in financial management and restructuring to bear on discussions.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Gabriel Gbenga Olowo, renowned aviation economist and Chairman of Sabre Central and West Africa, whose thought leadership in airline economics and travel distribution has shaped industry conversations over the years.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, will grace the event as Special Guest of Honour, reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening financing frameworks across the aviation ecosystem.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, will be present to deliver a regulatory goodwill message, highlighting the pivotal role of the Authority in ensuring a robust and investor-friendly regulatory climate.