The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to host the South West Regional Air Transportation Summit, a one-day conference aimed at repositioning the aviation industry in Nigeria for financial capability and economic viability. 

The summit, scheduled for October 9, 2024, at the Radisson Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together renowned industry stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the industry.

According to a statement made available to the newsmen, the theme of the conference is “Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry for Financial Capability and Economic Viability: An Inclusive Regulatory Dialogue.” 

The event will feature three keynote speakers who will present papers on sustainable growth, leveraging global aviation business finance mechanisms, and harnessing opportunities in global aviation and air transportation systems for national economic growth and development.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB), Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, will deliver the main paper on “Sustainable Growth in the Nigerian Civil Aviation and Air Transportation Sector: Regulatory Imperatives.” 

Dr. Ozoemene has over 25 years of experience in banking, finance, consulting, and development, and is currently providing executive leadership to a financial institution in Nigeria.

Another presenter, Dr. Emeka Okengwu, a former student of Government College Umuahia, will delve into a topic titled “Leveraging Global Aviation Business Finance Mechanism: A Reminiscence of the Cape Town Convention.” 

He has a strong background in political science, entrepreneurship studies, and development economics, and has worked as a business development consultant and country representative for various organizations.

A former United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Representative and Attache to West Africa, Mr. Olusheyi (Sheyi) Ogunleye, will deliver a paper on “Harnessing the Opportunities in Global Aviation and Air Transportation System for National Economic Growth and Development: Inclusive Regulatory Dialogue.” 

The former TSA representative has over 28 years of experience in aviation security, regulatory, and anti-terrorism, and has served in various leadership and executive roles domestically and internationally.

The summit is expected to attract participants from the aviation industry, including airline operators, aviation handling company operators, suppliers, senior officials of aviation agencies, labor unions, and other stakeholders. 

The event will provide a platform for stakeholders to brainstorm and contribute to the discussion on the future of the aviation industry in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority invites all stakeholders to participate in this important event, which is expected to chart a new course for the aviation industry in Nigeria.