The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo, led a high-powered delegation of Nigerian airline executives to the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Global Conference in Dublin, Ireland.
The delegation included top industry leaders such as Mrs Toyin Olajide (Air Peace), Dr Obiora Okonkwo (United Nigeria Airlines), Mr George Urensi (Ibom Air), Abdullahi Ahmed (NG Eagle), Kunle Soname and his Managing Director, Capt Omololu Majekodunmi (ValueJet), alongside other stakeholders. Also present were the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt Chris Ona Najomo, and Mr Ahmed Tijani, Director of Air Transport Management in the Ministry.
On the sidelines of the conference, the delegation held a strategic meeting with AERCAP, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, led by its CEO, Mr Angus Kelly. Discussions centred on forging a long-term strategic partnership aligned with Nigeria’s fleet modernisation objectives, as well as the urgent need to enhance operational capacity among Nigerian airlines.
The engagement explored innovative aircraft leasing solutions, flexible financing structures, and practical pathways for fleet renewal. These measures are aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing safety standards, reducing operating costs, and positioning Nigerian carriers to compete effectively on both regional and international routes.
Additionally, the delegation held talks with Afreximbank, led by Ms Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade & Export Development, and Ms Helen Brume, Director and Global Head of Project & Asset-Based Finance.
The discussions reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to deepening aviation finance partnerships and leveraging Afreximbank’s catalytic role in supporting African carriers through structured financing, trade-enabling instruments, and risk-mitigation solutions.
Both meetings emphasised a collaborative government–industry approach that places aviation at the heart of economic growth, regional integration, and intra-African trade. Key areas of focus included fleet development, airline sustainability, and the creation of financing frameworks capable of unlocking long-term value for Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
