November 24, (THEWILL) — The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Monday, received in audience the Secretary General of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mr Alli Tounsi.
The ACI Africa’s topshot visited alongside Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s executives, including the Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire and Director, Commercials and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, as part of preparations for Nigeria’s hosting of the ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition.
Nigeria is set to host the prestigious ACI Africa Acrobatics Regional Conference and Exhibition in September 2026, and the visit by the ACI-Africa delegation was primarily aimed at assessing the nation’s level of preparedness for the continental event.
In his remarks, Mr Alli Tounsi emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria’s role in African aviation and the strong case for the country to host next year’s regional conference.
According to him, “Nigeria must host this next Acrobatics Regional Conference. BAGASSO is already in Nigeria, and it is only right that ACI Africa is here too.”
Responding, the Honourable Minister warmly welcomed the ACI Africa Secretary General and expressed Nigeria’s full readiness to host the event.
“We accept wholeheartedly to host. Nigeria has the capacity, the infrastructure, and the commitment to deliver a world-class conference. You can count on us”, he stated.
Speaking on the nation’s preparations, the MD/CEO of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, outlined several initiatives already underway to ensure a successful hosting. She revealed that although the event is tentatively scheduled for September 2026 in Abuja—with the exact date to be announced—Nigeria is taking proactive steps to meet and surpass expectations.
She noted that FAAN has already initiated discussions with a leading five-star hotel currently undergoing extensive renovations.
“All hands are on deck. We are confident that we have ample time for comprehensive planning. The hotel management has assured us that their upgrades will be completed by April next year, and the facility’s standards will match the calibre of this global aviation event”, she assured.
The visit marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation diplomacy and further solidifies the nation’s leadership position within Africa’s aviation community.
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.
