Keyamo Urges Stakeholder Action to Secure Aviation’s Future as NTEC 2025 Spotlights Youth Empowerment
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), has called on stakeholders in the aviation and travel industry to take intentional steps in identifying, nurturing, and supporting young talents to ensure a sustainable future for the sector.
The Minister made this charge in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Mrs Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), during the Grand Finale of the 14th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2025) and the Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar.
The event, which also marked the 20th anniversary of Travel & Business News, took place on 24 May 2025 at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Training Hall, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Themed “Navigating Career Entry Challenges to Secure the Future,” the forum aimed to address challenges associated with an ageing aviation workforce and the shortage of skilled manpower by exposing young Nigerians to the opportunities within the sector.
“As a globally regulated sector, it is important that stakeholders put measures in place to continually attract the right quality and quantity of human resources required to move the industry forward,” Mr Keyamo stated.
“It is important to note that programmes such as this are avenues through which we can breed, nurture, and harvest such human resources. Travel & Business News is doing a great job in this regard and deserves accolades.”
Declaring the event open, the Minister further remarked: “One of the critical challenges facing the industry is the ageing and retiring workforce leading to widened knowledge gaps and operational issues. This programme, I believe, is designed, among other things, to make aviation appealing to the younger generation while encouraging them to develop interest in taking up a career in the industry.”
Founder and National Coordinator of NTEC, Mr Ewos Iroro, recalled that the initiative began in 2009 with the aim of inspiring young Nigerians to pursue careers in aviation, travel, and tourism while promoting greater support for the air transport sector.
“NTEC has raised many young talents who are now working in various fields of aviation,” he said. “Just recently, one of our past winners, Miss Adeola Peace, a graduate of Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School, bagged a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.”
Also speaking at the event, NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo—represented by Barr. Olubukola Teriba, Regional Manager Lagos—highlighted the barriers faced by youths seeking aviation careers.
“This year’s theme reflects the shared concerns of countless young Nigerians who seek to make their mark in aviation, tourism, and the wider transport ecosystem but often face steep barriers to entry: lack of access, limited mentorship, financial constraints, skill mismatches, and systemic gaps,” he noted.
He commended the organisers for their unwavering commitment to youth development, intellectual engagement, and aviation advocacy.
Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, also represented by Mrs Orah, expressed optimism about the programme’s long-term impact.
“This is a breeding ground where many of our young ones have their first encounter with the aviation world. And many of them may just stick to aviation and pick a career here. At FAAN, we will continue to encourage and support programmes such as this. The inherent benefits of this seed sown in our youths are unquantifiable,” she said.
The essay topics for NTEC 2025 were: “The Role of Public Perception on Airlines’ Safety Performance” (Secondary School Category) and “The Security Implications of AI on Air Travel and How to Mitigate Them” (Tertiary Institutions Category).
Entries were judged by a panel of independent assessors chaired by Mr Alex Nwuba, President, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, alongside other aviation and education professionals.
In the tertiary institutions category, Miss Olatunji Deborah Taiwo of the University of Lagos emerged as the winner, receiving a cash prize of N150,000. Mr Patrick Onyekachi Favour of Lagos State University (LASU) placed second with N100,000, while Mr Vincent Ikechukwu Maduka of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) came third, earning N50,000.
For the secondary school category, Abdulazeez Fatimoh Ajoke of Abesan Senior High School, Ipaja, clinched first place with a cash prize of N100,000. Patrick Chidiebere David of Abiolu Comprehensive College, Igando, secured second place with N70,000, while Akinyoola Roqeebah Morenikeji, also of Abesan Senior High School, took third place with N50,000.
The top 10 finalists in the secondary school category and the top 5 in the tertiary category received goodie bags with special gifts from South African Airways (SAA).
In a special initiative, Queens College, Lagos, was invited to submit an essay on the seminar’s central theme. Ali Francisca Uwamaka’s write-up won the top position, earning her a cash prize of N10,000 and a goodie bag, and she was invited to read her essay to the audience as a Young Aviation Enthusiast.
During the event, Mrs Orah further motivated the audience by identifying aspiring pilots among the students and rewarding their interest.
Recognised students included Akujieze Chisomebuka of Princeton College, Surulere; Ojo-Ibukun Benjamin Inioluwa of Agbado District Comprehensive High School, Ogun State; and Sowunmi Anuoluwapo and Ali Francisca Chiamaka of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos.
A memorable highlight of the occasion was the cutting of a celebratory cake to mark the 20th anniversary of Travel & Business News and to honour individuals born in the month of May.
NTEC 2025 received wide industry support from organisations including the NCAA, FAAN, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), South African Airways (SAA), Airline Logistics and Management Limited (ALML), OAS Helicopters, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, GHI Assets, Sabre West Africa, and OCP International.
