….Keyamo, AMCON’s Alade, Sabre Chair, Najomo, others set for critical aviation financing Summit
The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) has announced a high-profile gathering of industry leaders, financial experts, regulators, and policymakers for its 29th Annual Conference.
The event, slated for Thursday, August 7, 2025, at The Providence Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, will focus on the critical theme of “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects.”
The conference aims to provide a strategic platform for robust discussions on funding mechanisms and investment models essential for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Distinguished Lineup to Lead Discussions
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Gbenga Alade, will chair the conference, bringing his extensive experience in financial management and restructuring to the forefront of discussions.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Gabriel Gbenga Olowo, a renowned aviation economist and Chairman of Sabre Central and West Africa. His thought leadership in airline economics and travel distribution is expected to significantly shape the day’s conversations.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour, stressing the government’s commitment to strengthening financing frameworks across the aviation ecosystem.
Director General, Civil Aviation, DGCA, Captain Chris Najomo, will also be present to deliver a regulatory goodwill message, emphasizing the Authority’s pivotal role in fostering an investor-friendly regulatory climate.
Comprehensive Industry Representation
The conference will feature a diverse panel of industry experts representing various segments of the aviation value chain.
This includes airline operators, airport management authorities, ground handling and service providers, aviation fuel suppliers and marketers, travel and tourism stakeholders, financial and insurance institutions, investment advisors, and leasing companies.
Mr. Wole Shadare, Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, highlighted the significance of the 2025 edition, noting that it marks a crucial milestone in the association’s contribution to aviation development.
“Our 29th annual conference is a timely intervention that aligns with ongoing reforms in the aviation industry”.
“It will examine new opportunities and address long-standing bottlenecks that hinder sustainable financing. More importantly, it offers a forum where decision-makers and stakeholders can build consensus for the sector’s future.”
Celebrating Aviation Champions and Key Thematic Areas
As part of the event, LAAC will also unveil “Celebrating Champions of Aviation Development,” a special compendium profiling notable individuals, institutions, and state governments that have played transformative roles in Nigeria’s aviation sector since 1999.
Discussions at the conference are set to delve into key thematic areas, including airport infrastructure development, aircraft leasing and financing mechanisms, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) funding.
Others are; aviation fuel supply and pricing strategies, regulatory reforms and consumer protection, navigational infrastructure and airspace management, and insurance, risk management, and sectoral investment incentives.
The conference has already garnered significant endorsements and participation pledges from all aviation regulatory agencies, domestic and international airlines, ground handling companies, state governments, financial institutions, and travel sector professionals, reinforcing its growing influence as a premier platform for industry engagement.
LAAC remains dedicated to fostering constructive dialogue, shaping public policy, and celebrating those championing Nigeria’s aviation transformation.
