The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been honoured with the prestigious Silverbird Minister of the Year Award (2025/2026) in recognition of his reform-driven leadership and transformative impact on Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The high-profile ceremony, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, drew captains of industry, political leaders and distinguished Nigerians from across the country. The Minister was joined on stage by members of his management team, including the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jr.; chief executives of aviation agencies, directors and close associates, who celebrated the milestone moment with him.
In his acceptance speech, the Minister expressed profound appreciation to Silverbird Communications, describing public service as a demanding responsibility often misunderstood by the public.
“Public office is such a thankless job because of the trust deficits that exist between the people and governments.
“But when you receive an award like this, it is encouraging to know that somewhere, somehow, people are watching. It is a huge encouragement”, he said.
Reflecting on the recognition with visible excitement, Keyamo noted that the award had long been a personal aspiration.
“As I said in the promo, I coveted this for so many years. But finally, it’s right in my hands. I’m going to put it in a glass cage on top of my mantelpiece at home”, he remarked.
He dedicated the award to his team across the aviation ecosystem, crediting them for the sector’s ongoing reforms and operational improvements.
“I have a huge team behind me that makes me look good — FAAN, NSIB, NAMA, NCAA, the Flying School, the Aviation University and all the agencies I supervise. They do all the hard work. I’m just a policymaker who sits pretty in my office. They make me look good. Thank you all”, he said.
In a candid moment that resonated strongly with the audience, the Minister used the occasion to apologise to Nigerians over the temporary gridlocks recorded at FAAN airport gates nationwide following the full rollout of a cashless toll policy.
“Ben Bruce, please permit me — I’m going to use this platform to apologise to Nigerians for the gridlocks experienced today at FAAN gates across the country.
“Today, we went cashless in line with this government’s policy to eliminate cash collection at toll gates”, he stated.
He explained that the initiative forms part of the federal government’s broader reform agenda aimed at improving transparency, blocking revenue leakages and optimising income generation.
According to him, previous administrations had not fully implemented the cashless gate system.
“The President gave us an ultimatum, and today we went cashless at all FAAN gates. We have been announcing it — go and get your FAAN cards so that when you get to the gate, you just tap and the barrier opens.
“If you insist on paying cash, you may experience embarrassment and gridlock because cash is no longer accepted”, he emphasised.
While acknowledging initial implementation challenges, the Minister urged Nigerians to embrace the reform, assuring that the temporary inconveniences would give way to a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven airport access system.
The Silverbird Minister of the Year Award honours public office holders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and measurable impact. The recognition underscores the sweeping reforms and renewed investor confidence currently reshaping Nigeria’s aviation industry under Keyamo’s leadership.
The evening ended with resounding applause as stakeholders celebrated what many described as a bold and reform-focused administrator committed to repositioning Nigeria’s aviation sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.