By Cosmas Okereafor
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Monday led a high-level Nigerian delegation to formally welcome former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, to the ongoing African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 taking place in Lomé, Republic of Togo. The convention, which has brought together Africa’s foremost aviation policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and development partners, serves as a strategic platform for advancing air transport connectivity, regional integration and sustainable aviation development across the continent.
Former President Obasanjo’s presence at the event underscores his enduring commitment to Africa’s economic integration and the growth of the aviation sector as a catalyst for trade, tourism and development.Also in attendance at the prestigious gathering are His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Togo, and His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, alongside other distinguished leaders and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. The Nigerian delegation reflects the country’s leading role in shaping the future of African aviation. Members of the delegation include Mrs. Adefunke Adeyemi, participating in her capacity as the Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC); Captain Juan “Boyo” Olubodun, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) Ambassador for the Western Region; and Captain Chris Najomo, Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) among others.
Speaking on the sidelines of the convention, the Honourable Minister reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing that enhanced air connectivity remains critical to unlocking the vast economic potential of the continent. He noted that Nigeria will continue to work closely with sister African nations and regional aviation institutions to promote policies and partnerships that will strengthen air transport, improve infrastructure, encourage investment and facilitate seamless movement of people and goods across Africa.The African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 continues with a series of high-level engagements, technical sessions and bilateral meetings aimed at accelerating the transformation of Africa’s aviation ecosystem into a globally competitive an
