By Bonaventure Melah

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Tuesday, January 27th 2026, led a delegation, made up of owners and top management officers of airlines in Nigeria to the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Global Conference in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

Among Chief Executive Officers and Chief Operating Officers of airlines that went to the Dublin conference with the Minister are Mrs. Toyin Olajide (Air Peace), who represented Dr. Allen Onyema, the CEO of the largest airline in West Africa, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, CEO of United Nigeria Airlines, Mr. George Urensi of Ibom Air, Abdullahi Ahmed of NG Eagle, Kunle Soname together with his MD, Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi both of ValueJet, amongst other stakeholders.

Also on the delegation were the Director General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo and the Director, Air Transport Management in the Ministry, Mr. Ahmed Tijani.

According to a social media post he made on Wednesday, Keyamo said- “On the sidelines of the conference, we held a strategic meeting with AERCAP, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company. The Aercap team was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Angus Kelly.”

The Minister who was honoured with the prestigious Nigeria’s Pride Awards as the Most Impactful Minister in 2025, revealed that discussions focused on building a long-term strategic partnership aligned with Nigeria’s fleet modernisation objectives and the urgent need to strengthen operational capacity among Nigerian airline operators.

He said the engagement explored innovative leasing solutions, flexible financing structures, and practical pathways for fleet renewal to support Nigerian airlines’ access to modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.

According to the Senor Advocate of Nigeria,-“These measures are critical to improving operational efficiency, enhancing safety standards, reducing operating costs, and positioning Nigerian carriers to compete more effectively on regional and global routes.”

Subsequently, he said- “We also held discussions with Afreximbank, led by Ms. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade & Export Development, and Ms. Helen Brume, Director & Global Head, Project & Asset Based Finance.

“The meeting reinforced Nigeria’s intent to deepen aviation finance partnerships and leverage Afreximbank’s catalytic role in supporting African carriers through structured financing, trade-enabling instruments, and risk-mitigation solutions.

“Discussions underscored a shared commitment to a collaborative government–industry approach that places aviation at the centre of economic growth, regional integration, and intra-African trade. Particular emphasis was placed on fleet development, airline sustainability, and the creation of financing frameworks capable of unlocking long-term value for Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem,” Keyamo stated, adding that- “Discussions and consultations will continue today.”