Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria has once again cemented its status as a leader in African aviation with the re-election of Nigeria’s Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi as Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC). The announcement came earlier today during the 35th Ordinary Plenary Session held in Brazzaville, Congo, where Ms. Adeyemi triumphed with 22 votes in favour and seven against. Her resounding victory reflects the collective confidence of AFCAC member states in her visionary leadership and achievements. This was contained in a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Central to this success was the instrumental role of Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who is in attendance at an ongoing conference in Congo Brazzaville. The Minister spearheaded strategic diplomatic engagements with African Union member States, rallying support for Ms. Adeyemi’s candidacy. His efforts were pivotal in reinforcing Nigeria’s influence in shaping the continent’s aviation future.
“This is not just a win for Nigeria but for the entire African aviation industry,” said Festus Keyamo, SAN, after the election. “Ms. Adeyemi’s outstanding leadership and innovative vision have positioned AFCAC to deliver transformative progress across the continent. Nigeria remains committed to driving the goals of AfCAC and ensuring the realization of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).”
To ensure transparency and fairness, an Election Commission was established in accordance with AFCAC’s Rules of Procedure for Plenary Meetings. The Commission, comprising representatives from various African Union regions, upheld a rigorous process. Nigeria, under the leadership of Minister Keyamo, played a pivotal role within the West African bloc, securing widespread continental support.
As the specialized agency of the African Union, AfCAC oversees civil aviation matters across the continent and serves as the executing body for the Yamassoukro Decision (YD). Its primary mandate includes implementing the Single African Air Transport Market, a vision uniting 37 member states to enhance Africa’s aviation competitiveness and connectivity.
Ms. Adeyemi’s re-election reaffirms her exceptional contributions to the Commission, particularly in fostering integration and sustainable growth in African aviation. Her tenure has been marked by groundbreaking initiatives aimed at enhancing air transport efficiency, safety, and collaboration across the continent.
With this renewed mandate, Ms. Adeyemi is poised to further advance AFCAC’s objectives, championing a robust, unified, and competitive air transport system for Africa. Her leadership ensures that AFCAC will remain at the forefront of driving transformative progress in the region’s aviation sector.
This milestone represents a proud moment for Nigeria, underlining its unwavering commitment to strengthening Africa’s aviation ecosystem and fostering unity across the continent.
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