Key Nigerian aviation stakeholders will convene in Lagos on March 26, 2026, to discuss strategies for developing the country into a major aviation hub, a move aimed at significantly increasing the sector’s contribution to the national GDP.
The meeting, organized by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) as part of its first-quarter Business Breakfast Meeting, will centre on the theme “Boosting Aviation Sector Contribution to GDP: The Importance of an Aviation Hub.” The event aims to foster high-level dialogue on policy direction, infrastructure investment, and private sector involvement.
An aviation hub refers to a central airport where airlines consolidate flights from multiple origins, routing passengers and cargo through a single point before onward travel. This model is widely seen as a catalyst for sustained growth in an aviation ecosystem, leveraging geographical position and traffic volume.
The lead presentation will be delivered by Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Her paper is expected to outline practical steps for building hub infrastructure and improving operational efficiency to boost GDP impact.
The agenda includes two panel sessions. The first will explore airline and airport operations, featuring George Uriesi (CEO, Ibom Air), Dr. Wale Babalakin (Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation), Capt. Ado Sanusi (MD, Aero Contractors), and Djamel Muradov (Air France/KLM). The second panel will examine the role of aviation support services—including fuelling, ground handling, engineering, logistics, and catering—in driving economic growth. Participants include Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe (CITA Aviation Fuelling), Dr. Segun Musa (Widescope International Group), Motayo Williams (Nigerbird Engineering), Damilola Ogunseye (International Airlines Operators Committee), and Dr. Seinde Fadeni (Chairman, NAHCO Plc and LSG Sky Chefs). Representatives from AVSATEL Communications and Dominion Air will also contribute perspectives on communications and emerging services.
ASRTI, a not-for-profit body of aviation professionals, stated that since its inaugural Business Breakfast Meeting in 2015, the platform has consistently influenced policy debates on safety, infrastructure, and regulatory practices. The group reiterated its commitment to promoting global best practices and enhancing the industry’s economic viability.
The discussions are positioned as a critical step toward harnessing Nigeria’s potential as a continental air transport centre, with the ultimate goal of translating hub development into measurable GDP growth and broader economic development.
