July 01, (THEWILL) — The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) has announced a distinguished lineup of top industry leaders, financial experts, regulators, and policymakers for its 29th Annual Conference, scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at The Providence Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
This year’s conference, themed “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects”, will provide a strategic platform for robust discussions on funding mechanisms and investment models for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Mr Gbenga Alade, the 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 the 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.
The conference will also feature a rich panel of industry experts drawn from a cross-section of the aviation value chain, including airline operators, airport management authorities, ground handling and service providers, aviation fuel suppliers and marketers.
Others are travel and tourism stakeholders, financial and insurance institutions, investment advisors and leasing companies.
According to the Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, Mr Wole Shadare, the 2025 edition marks a significant 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.”
As part of the conference, LAAC will also unveil a commemorative publication titled “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 will explore key thematic areas, including airport infrastructure development, aircraft leasing and financing mechanisms, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) funding, aviation fuel supply and pricing strategies, regulatory reforms and consumer protection. Also, navigational infrastructure and airspace management, insurance, risk management, and sectoral investment incentives will be discussed.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
