Not less than 16 aviation icons will be honoured at the forthcoming second induction ceremony of Nigeria Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF)
The ceremony will hold on Friday, September 4, 2026 at the Golfview Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the conveners of the programme, Wole Shadare and Gboyega Adeoye, this year’s induction and panel discussion themed: “The Next of Aviation Leaders: Talent, Technology and Global Competitiveness” will have Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, as Special Guest of Honour, while Engr. Akin Olateru, pioneer Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akin Olateru will be the chairman and Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State, His Royal Majesty , Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye will be the Royal Father of the Day.
They added that the programme promises to celebrate excellence, discipline, and legacy in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The iconic aviators to be honoured were selected through a rigorous selection process by an independent panel of judges drawn from diverse sectors of the industry,
The inductees, carefully chosen for their outstanding contributions, leadership, and service to the growth of Nigerian aviation, will join the league of industry trailblazers whose names are already immortalized in the Hall of Fame.
In a landmark partnership, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), will provide a dedicated space for a permanent montage display featuring photographs and profiles of all Hall of Fame inductees.
The initiative is designed to inspire travellers and the next generation of aviation professionals while preserving the history of the industry at one of Nigeria’s busiest gateways.
Speaking ahead of the event, Co-Convener of NAHF and veteran aviation journalist, Mr. WOle Shadare said this about the event:
“The Nigeria Aviation Hall of Fame was conceived to do more than give awards. It is about preserving our history, celebrating those who built this industry with their sweat and integrity, and setting a standard for those coming behind. This second induction is epoch-making because it tells every young person in aviation today that diligence, discipline, and dedication still matter. We are proud that the Minister, regulators, and industry leaders are standing with us on this.”
Corroborating, Mr. Gboyega Adeoye, Co-Convener of NAHF, Former Editor, The Sun Newspapers, Ghana, Mr. Gboyega Adeoye says: “Aviation is the gateway to national development, and those who have given their best to this sector deserve to be honoured while they are alive. This year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation of Aviation Leaders: Talent, Technology, and Global Competitiveness,’ is deliberate. We must begin to prepare young Nigerians to take over and compete globally. The partnership with MMA2 to display the inductees’ montage ensures that their stories will continue to inspire millions of passengers who pass through that terminal yearly.”
Speaking on the forthcoming event, Royal Father of the Day, Oba Ajakaye, who also served FAAN meritoriously, added: “As a former insider in the aviation sector and now a traditional ruler, I see aviation as a unifier of our nation. To be associated with this noble cause is a great honour. My prayer is that this Hall of Fame will instill the virtues of hard work and patriotism in our youths, and that those being honoured will continue to be role models. The industry needs more discipline and more dedication, and this platform is providing it.”
The event will feature goodwill messages, citation of honourees, unveiling of the Hall of Fame plaque, and a panel session focused on how Nigeria can develop talent and leverage technology to compete globally.
Dignitaries expected include Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of airlines, heads of aviation agencies, captains of industry, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The Nigeria Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) is an independent, non-partisan initiative by veteran travel journalists to recognize and immortalize Nigerians who have made exemplary contributions to the aviation industry. It seeks to document history, promote professionalism, and mentor the next generation of aviators.
