Key players in Nigeria’s aviation industry are set to gather in Lagos to deliberate on strategies for positioning the country as a major aviation hub, with stakeholders expected to speak extensively on how the sector can significantly boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
The meeting, convened by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, will be held on March 26, 2026, in Lagos, as part of its 2026 first-quarter Business Breakfast Meeting.
According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Albinus Chiedu, the event, with the theme “Boosting Aviation Sector Contribution to GDP: The Importance of an Aviation Hub,” is expected to stimulate high-level discussions around policy direction, infrastructure development, and private sector participation in the aviation ecosystem.
In aviation, a hub is a central airport where an airline concentrates its operations, routing passengers and cargo from multiple origins through that airport to their final destinations, rather than operating only direct point-to-point flights. A hub is believed to be a source of further prosperity for a country’s aviation sector.
Announcing the meeting, Albinus said the gathering would provide a platform for critical conversations on how Nigeria can leverage its geographic advantage and growing passenger traffic to become a central air transport hub in Africa.
The statement said, “The objective of this Business Breakfast Meeting is to bring industry stakeholders together to examine how the attainment of an aviation hub status can positively impact Nigeria’s GDP and economic development.”
At the centre of the discourse will be the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, who is expected to deliver the lead paper.
Her presentation, according to ASRTI, “will set the tone for robust engagements on practical pathways to boosting the aviation sector’s contribution to GDP through the development of hub infrastructure and enhanced operational efficiency.”
The meeting will feature two panel sessions, drawing participants from across the aviation value chain, including airline operators, airport managers, and allied service providers.
Among the panelists are George Uriesi, Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air Limited; Dr Wale Babalakin, Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited; Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors; and Djamel Muradov of Air France/KLM.
Speaking on the expected contributions of the panelists, ASRTI stated that, “These industry leaders will share practical insights on airline operations, airport management, and the critical requirements for building a globally competitive aviation hub in Nigeria.”
The second panel will focus on the role of aviation allied businesses in driving economic growth, featuring experts such as Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe of CITA Aviation Fuelling, Dr Segun Musa of Widescope International Group, Motayo Williams of Nigerbird Engineering Limited, Damilola Ogunseye of the International Airlines Operators Committee, and Dr Seinde Fadeni, Chairman of NAHCO Plc and LSG Sky Chefs.
Albinus added, “The allied business segment will examine how support services such as fuelling, ground handling, engineering, logistics, and in-flight catering can significantly enhance value creation and contribute to GDP growth when properly integrated into a hub system.”
ASRTI further disclosed that the Managing Directors of AVSATEL Communications and Dominion Air would also participate in the discussions, bringing perspectives from communications and emerging aviation services.
He further said, “Since the inception of the Business Breakfast Meetings in 2015, the platform has consistently driven advocacy and contributed to improvements across key areas of the aviation industry, including safety, infrastructure, airline management, financing, and regulatory practices.
“The BBM has remained a veritable platform for shaping policy conversations and fostering collaboration among stakeholders towards the sustainable development of Nigeria’s aviation sector.”
ASRTI, described as Nigeria’s foremost not-for-profit body of aviation professionals, reiterated its commitment to promoting global best practices and strengthening the economic viability of the industry.
