Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria’s aviation sector received a major boost on Friday night as industry leaders, regulators, operators, and stakeholders gathered in Lagos for the 15th edition of the Nigeria Aviation Awards and Ministerial Dinner (NIGAV Awards), where excellence was celebrated and a positive growth outlook for 2026 was unveiled. This was contained in a statement signed by Chindaya Ahmadu Audu, Director, Press, and Public Relations.
The Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, FCNA, FICA, has described the NIGAV Awards as a credible platform that promotes excellence, professionalism, healthy competition, and unity across the aviation ecosystem.
Speaking at the event held at the NIGAV Centre, Lagos, Kambari commended the organisers, led by the Founder and Chairman of the NIGAV Centre, Mr. Fortune Idu, for sustaining the initiative over the last fifteen years and creating an annual platform for industry performance review, recognition, and future planning.
He noted that the theme of this year’s awards, “Aviation Industry Rebirth,” aptly reflects the renewed momentum within the sector, citing progress in aircraft leasing initiatives, airport modernisation programmes, improved intermodal connectivity, fleet expansion, and route development.
Kambari reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the aviation sector through strategic investments, infrastructure development, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), adding that the reform agenda of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, continues to deliver measurable results.
He assured stakeholders that the Ministry remains fully committed to supporting the Minister’s programmes and reforms aimed at achieving safer, more efficient, and globally competitive air transport services.
Kambari also expressed confidence that the sector would record stronger growth by the end of 2026 through sustained collaboration among government institutions, airlines, airport operators, regulators, and private investors.
In his remarks, the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, who was honoured as Aviation CEO of the Year, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, security, economic regulation, and consumer protection in line with global best practices.
He stated that recent achievements such as aerodrome certification, regulatory reforms, modernisation of major airports, and improvements in airline capacity were outcomes of deliberate policy direction and effective institutional collaboration.
The major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Nigeria Aviation Year 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook by aviation expert and Co-Chairman of the NIGAV Award Committee, Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun.
He said, 2025 was a year of transition, recalibration, and resilience for Nigeria’s aviation industry, marked by gains in policy reforms, infrastructure commitments, international confidence, and passenger traffic growth.
He further noted that Nigeria retained its position as Africa’s second-largest domestic aviation market, recording over 10.5 million passengers in 2025, while Lagos emerged as one of the fastest-growing aviation hubs on the continent. While projecting a cautiously optimistic 2026 outlook, with anticipated progress in airport modernisation, aircraft financing, maintenance capacity expansion, and increased private sector investment.
More than sixty organisations and individuals received awards in various categories during the ceremony, recognising excellence across airlines, airports, regulatory agencies, service providers, and aviation professionals.
The event also featured the unique Cabin Crew Contest, which crowns the King and Queen of the Air, celebrating in-flight service excellence and promoting unity among airlines.
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