LAAC Honoured at NANTA’s Golden Jubilee AGM in Ibadan
The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) took centre stage at the 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), earning high-profile recognition for its contributions to Nigeria’s aviation and travel sectors.
The landmark AGM, Conference and Exhibition – held from April 14 to 18, 2026, in Ibadan – formed part of activities marking NANTA’s Golden Jubilee. The event, themed “Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Travel Ambassadors,” was designed to strengthen economic and cultural engagement across the Western Zone while reinforcing Nigeria’s visibility within the global travel ecosystem.
A defining moment of the celebration came during the Dinner and Award Night at the Jogor Event Centre, where LAAC was presented with a Special Recognition Award.
The honour acknowledged the association’s sustained role in advancing aviation journalism and promoting the growth of Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and travel industries. The award was presented by NANTA’s Public Relations Officer, Adelola Adewole, on behalf of the association.
Receiving the award for LAAC, the association’s General Secretary, Anthony Awunor, expressed gratitude to NANTA, describing the recognition as a testament to the association’s objectivity and institutional consistency.
“I thank NANTA for this honour. It shows that the association remains objective in its approach. We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure sustained growth across the industry,” Awunor stated.
He reaffirmed LAAC’s commitment to deepening collaboration among stakeholders, emphasising the critical role of the media in driving sectoral development, shaping public discourse, and aligning policies within the aviation and travel ecosystem.
Earlier, NANTA President, Yinka Folami, described the association’s 50-year journey as more than a ceremonial milestone, calling it a reflection of enduring relevance and institutional resilience.
“Fifty years is not just a number; it is a legacy,” Folami said, noting that NANTA has consistently served as the organised voice of Nigeria’s downstream travel trade while advocating for the interests of its more than 3,500 members nationwide.
He explained that the current leadership has prioritised a three-pronged agenda centred on fair play, market protection and market strengthening, underpinned by transparency, accountability and equity in industry operations.
Folami further highlighted NANTA’s sustained engagement with government institutions on policy and fiscal issues, as well as its contributions to national conversations on taxation, regulatory compliance and cross-border travel frameworks.
He added that the association continues to build strategic partnerships with airlines, tourism bodies and international stakeholders to foster a more coordinated and efficient travel ecosystem.
The Golden Jubilee AGM featured a rich programme of activities, including cocktail receptions, guided city tours, tourism asset inspections and technical sessions, all aimed at showcasing the cultural heritage and economic potential of Ibadan.
LAAC, widely regarded as Nigeria’s foremost aviation media umbrella body, remains at the forefront of promoting professional reporting and effective media coverage within the aviation industry, reinforcing its role as a key stakeholder in the nation’s travel and tourism development.
