The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been honoured as “Man of the Year” by Women in Aviation (WIA) at its 2026 conference in Lagos, in recognition of his contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The award was presented by the Nigeria Chapter President, Rejoice Ndudinachi, on Thursday at the closing of the conference, held at the Welcome Centre Hotel on International Airport Road.
The conference brought together aviation professionals, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate excellence and promote greater participation in the sector.
In a statement, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, said the Minister was represented by his Special Adviser on Service Delivery, Janet Oputa, who received the award on his behalf.
Organisers said the award recognised Keyamo’s leadership, institutional development and efforts to reposition Nigerian aviation through policy reform, infrastructure investment, stronger service delivery and initiatives intended to make the sector more competitive and sustainable, the statement reads.
The honour adds to a string of recent recognitions for the Minister.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s aviation unions earlier conferred a Leadership and Excellence Award on the Minister, while the NIGAV Awards Committee named him an “All-Time Champion of Aviation Growth” for his reform and stakeholder-engagement record.
The conference, which began on October 30, brought together women aviation professionals from across the nation’s geopolitical zones.
Its central panel, “Clear for Takeoff: Women in Leadership and Engaging the Next Generation of Women in Aviation & Aerospace,” focused on leadership, mentorship and expanding opportunities for women in technical and executive roles.
The statement also said participants included Adenike Aboderin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO); Capt. Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide, described as the first African woman to fly an Embraer 195-E2; Aduka Atiba, Executive Director of Landover Company and Overland Airways; and Mary Tufano’Eche, Director of Legal Services at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was represented by Christopher N. Wongmicit, General Manager, Research and Development.
Speakers called for stronger mentorship structures, more inclusive leadership and greater investment in young aviation professionals.
Women in Aviation International, whose Nigeria chapter is part of a global network spanning 174 chapters in 26 countries, has made advocacy, education, networking and leadership development central to its mission.
The conference ended with a renewed appeal for cooperation among government, airlines, regulators and industry stakeholders to build a more inclusive and globally competitive Nigerian aviation industry, the statement reads.
