As Nigeria’s aviation industry grapples with the challenge of sustaining growth amid rising government revenue demands, leading policymakers and industry executives will converge in Lagos next month for the 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) to explore practical solutions for the sector’s future.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will headline the event alongside the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Wale Babalakin, and the Chairman of Air Peace Limited, Allen Onyema, at the conference scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
With the theme, “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth”, the conference is expected to bring together top government officials, aviation regulators, airline operators, airport managers, investors and other stakeholders to discuss policies that will strengthen the industry’s long-term viability while addressing the government’s revenue expectations.
A major highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the second edition of LAAC’s Champions of Aviation publication, which documents the achievements and contributions of aviation agencies, airlines and other key industry players.
Keyamo will attend as the Special Guest of Honour, while Babalakin will chair the conference. Onyema is expected to deliver the keynote address, offering insights drawn from years of experience in airline operations and aviation investment.
Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, Wole Shadare, said this year’s theme reflects one of the most pressing issues confronting the aviation industry, stressing that sustainable growth can only be achieved through policies that strike the right balance between government revenue generation and private sector development.
According to him, the aviation industry remains a critical driver of economic growth, trade, tourism and national integration, but increasing fiscal pressures and multiple charges have continued to raise concerns among operators about the sector’s competitiveness.
“The aviation industry remains a strategic driver of economic development, trade, tourism and national integration. However, increasing fiscal pressures and multiple charges have continued to generate conversations about the need to strike a balance between government revenue generation and the growth of the industry”, Shadare said.
He noted that the conference would provide a credible platform for policymakers, regulators and operators to engage in frank discussions aimed at producing practical recommendations that will support a more competitive and sustainable aviation sector.
“We have assembled some of the most respected voices in the industry to examine these issues from different perspectives. We expect meaningful conversations that will ultimately contribute to policy reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem”, he added.
Also speaking, LAAC Chairman, Sulaiman Idris, said the association’s annual conference has, over the past three decades, remained one of the industry’s most influential platforms for constructive dialogue on aviation development and public policy.
He said the consistency of the conference in addressing contemporary industry challenges has earned it the confidence of stakeholders across the aviation value chain.
“Our annual conference has earned the confidence of industry stakeholders because it consistently addresses contemporary issues affecting aviation.
“As we mark the 30th edition, we remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports sustainable growth, enhances operational efficiency and promotes policies that will make Nigeria’s aviation industry more competitive”, Sulaiman said.
He urged aviation professionals, government agencies, private operators, financial institutions and all stakeholders with an interest in the sector to participate in the conference.
The 30th edition of the LAAC Annual Conference is expected to attract a broad spectrum of participants from across the aviation ecosystem, with discussions focusing on sustainable financing, regulatory reforms, investment, infrastructure development, operational efficiency and measures that will ensure government revenue initiatives complement, rather than constrain, the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.