The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recognised Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as one of Africa’s top four most prominent aviation leaders.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a special session of the IATA Focus Africa Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi.
Alawadhi attributed the recognition to Keyamo’s policy direction, aviation sector reforms, and efforts to align Nigeria with global aviation standards. He specifically highlighted Nigeria’s effective implementation of the Cape Town Convention and the IDERA framework, alongside its strong 91.4 per cent score in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (International Civil Aviation Organization) safety oversight assessment.
According to him, these achievements place Nigeria among Africa’s leading aviation jurisdictions, reflecting measurable progress in safety regulation, operational efficiency, and investor confidence.
Others recognised alongside Keyamo include Teresia Malokwe of Kenya’s State Department for Aviation, Poppy Khosa of the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, said the recognition underscores Nigeria’s growing reputation in aviation governance and reform implementation, describing it as evidence of “policy clarity, international collaboration, and decisive action” in the sector.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has recorded notable improvements in recent months, including a 91.4 per cent safety rating following an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission audit. The assessment, conducted as a follow-up to the 2023 Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, reviewed the country’s regulatory systems, airline operations, and safety oversight mechanisms.
The rating was described as one of Nigeria’s strongest aviation safety performances since independence, drawing commendation from President Bola Tinubu, who praised the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for the achievement and said it would enhance Nigeria’s attractiveness for aviation investment.
The IATA Focus Africa Conference, themed “Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency in Africa,” continues to serve as a platform for shaping aviation policy and collaboration across the continent.
