Countdown to LAAC 2025: Aviation Heavyweights Reaffirm Readiness for Landmark Conference on Industry Financing
With just days to the 29th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), preparations have reached an advanced stage, and the organisers have reaffirmed their full readiness to host what they describe as one of the most consequential conversations on aviation financing in Nigeria’s recent history.
The much-anticipated event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, 7 August 2025, at The Providence Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects.”
The theme reflects growing concerns and conversations around sustainable funding mechanisms, sectoral risks, and emerging investment opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
In a significant update, LAAC has announced the inclusion of Mr Bismarck Rewane, a renowned financial analyst and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, as one of the keynote speakers.
A respected voice in economic and financial policy circles, Rewane is expected to deliver insights into macroeconomic conditions, capital markets, investment flows, and strategic funding approaches that could reposition the aviation industry for long-term viability.
Mr Gbenga Alade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), remains confirmed as Conference Chairman, while Dr Gabriel Gbenga Olowo, aviation economist and Chairman of Sabre Central and West Africa, will deliver another keynote address focused on industry dynamics and the economics of air transport.
Also expected at the conference is Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who will attend as Special Guest of Honour, bringing a critical governmental perspective to discussions on financing frameworks, reform trajectories, and policy directions for the aviation sector.
In support of regulatory perspectives, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, will deliver a goodwill message reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for investment and sustainable oversight within the aviation ecosystem.
According to Mr Wole Shadare, Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, logistics and planning have been finalised to ensure a seamless experience for all delegates and participants.
“We are fully ready to host what promises to be one of the most consequential conversations on aviation financing in Nigeria’s recent history,” he stated. “The addition of Mr Bismarck Rewane brings further intellectual weight to an already robust programme. Delegates can expect high-impact sessions and practical policy recommendations that speak directly to Nigeria’s aviation financing realities.”
In addition to the keynote addresses and technical sessions, the event will also feature the unveiling of a commemorative publication titled “Celebrating Champions of Aviation Development”—a compendium that documents and celebrates the contributions of individuals, institutions, and governments to Nigeria’s aviation sector since 1999.
The technical sessions will be led by a distinguished panel of experts from various sub-sectors of aviation, including:
Mr Alex Nwuba, Chairman, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Mr Chris Aligbe, Aviation consultant and former General Manager of Nigeria Airways
Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe, CEO, CITA Energies Limited
Captain Roland Iyayi, CEO, TopBrass Aviation
Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Dr Obinna Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines
Key thematic areas to be discussed include: Infrastructure investment and airport modernisation, Aircraft leasing and financing strategies, Funding Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations, Jet A1 supply and pricing mechanisms, Regulatory reforms and consumer protection, Navigational infrastructure and technology investment, Insurance and risk management in aviation.
The conference has garnered strong endorsements from industry regulators, local and international airlines, financial institutions, ground handling firms, and state governments, reinforcing its status as a premier platform for aviation sector dialogue, networking, and strategic engagement.
For media enquiries or participation details, interested parties may contact:
Mr Wole Shadare, Chairman, LAAC Conference Committee: +234 802 306 7883
Tersoo Isaac Agber, Secretary, LAAC Conference Committee: +234 703 707 5856
As the countdown continues, prospective participants are hopeful as the industry converges for what promises to be a defining moment in shaping the future of aviation financing in Nigeria.
