Okonkwo Wins Daily Times Trailblazer Award, Urges FG to Strengthen Support for Private Businesses
The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has called on the Federal Government to increase its support for private sector operators, saying businesses outside government remain critical to employment generation and the country’s economic development.
Okonkwo made the appeal after receiving the Trailblazer Award in Aviation at the Daily Times Nigeria Centenary Awards, organised to commemorate the newspaper’s 100 years of existence.
The award recognises his entrepreneurial contributions to Nigeria’s aviation industry, particularly his investment in indigenous airline operations and efforts to strengthen domestic air connectivity through United Nigeria Airlines.
Speaking after the presentation, the airline chairman stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for private businesses, noting that the private sector is the country’s largest employer of labour after government.
He called for policies and institutional support that would allow private enterprises to expand their operations, attract more investment and contribute more significantly to national development.
His appeal comes at a time when indigenous airline operators are facing considerable operational and financial pressures, including high aviation fuel prices, foreign exchange constraints, aircraft leasing costs, maintenance expenses and other industry-related challenges.
Okonkwo founded United Nigeria Airlines to expand air transport options within the country and improve connectivity between major commercial and regional centres.
The airline has since developed into one of Nigeria’s domestic carriers, providing additional travel choices for passengers while supporting business travel, tourism and employment across the aviation value chain.
Establishing and sustaining an airline requires substantial capital, effective management, strict regulatory compliance and continuous investment in operational safety and service delivery. The Trailblazer Award acknowledges Okonkwo’s role in taking on these challenges through private sector investment.
Beyond its operational activities, United Nigeria Airlines has recently attracted attention in the financial market following the successful conclusion of the first tranche of its ₦100 billion Commercial Paper (CP) programme.
The airline raised ₦22 billion from the issuance, exceeding its initial subscription target of ₦20 billion as investor demand outstripped the amount offered.
The oversubscription was described as an indication of investor confidence in the carrier’s financial performance, business strategy, growth prospects and credit profile.
In response to the strong demand, the airline accepted 10 per cent of the excess subscription, while the balance was returned to investors whose applications could not be fully accommodated.
The successful fundraising exercise provides another financing option for the airline as it pursues its business objectives and prepares for further expansion.
United Nigeria Airlines currently operates services to 14 destinations across Nigeria and Ghana and is finalising plans to extend its regional operations.
The carrier also has approvals to operate as a flag carrier to six international destinations, positioning it to broaden its international network and strengthen its participation in the African aviation market.
Its international ambitions are supported by a series of industry affiliations, safety certifications and commercial agreements designed to improve its competitiveness.
The airline is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)-certified operator and has been an IATA member since 2022. It is also a full member of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
In 2026, United Nigeria Airlines signed the IATA Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement, which provides a framework for interline cooperation with other participating airlines and offers opportunities to improve passenger connectivity.
The carrier also concluded Global Distribution System (GDS) agreements with Amadeus and Sabre, enabling travel agents worldwide to access its ticket inventory.
The distribution agreements are expected to enhance the airline’s international market visibility, expand its reach to prospective passengers and provide wider access to its booking inventory through established global travel platforms.
For an indigenous airline seeking to move beyond the domestic market, these partnerships represent an important component of its international growth strategy.
Okonkwo’s recognition at the Daily Times Centenary Awards places a spotlight on the role of indigenous entrepreneurs in developing Nigeria’s aviation capacity, while his call for greater government support highlights the need for stronger collaboration between public institutions and private investors to sustain growth in the sector.
