Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, has described ground handling as a vital component of the aviation value chain, saying it remains fundamental to ensuring safe, secure and efficient air transport operations.
He also reaffirmed SAHCO’s commitment to innovation, global best practices, investment in modern equipment and the continuous development of a highly skilled workforce to meet the evolving demands of the aviation industry.
Afolabi, who was represented by the Managing Director of SAHCO, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, made the remarks at the International Conference of Aeronautical Engineers, themed “Aeronautical Engineering and National Development: Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry”.
He said the conference offered a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, strategic partnerships, technological advancement and policy dialogue, stressing that collaboration among government institutions, academia, industry stakeholders, development partners and the private sector is essential to repositioning Nigeria’s aviation industry as a catalyst for national development and regional leadership.
According to him, aeronautical engineering remains one of the critical drivers of aviation excellence, underpinning aircraft safety, operational efficiency, technological innovation and the development of indigenous technical expertise.
“As Nigeria continues to strengthen its aviation ecosystem, investment in engineering capacity, research, infrastructure and human capital will be indispensable to achieving world-class standards and unlocking new opportunities across the industry”, he said.
Afolabi noted that the conference theme was both timely and significant, reflecting the collective aspiration to build a resilient, innovative and globally competitive aviation sector capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainable development.
He commended the organisers for bringing together aviation experts and stakeholders from across the world to exchange ideas and develop solutions that will shape the future of the industry.