L-R: FAAN, Director, Commercials and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade; Secretary General of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mr. Alli Tounsi; Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) , Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku and Director of Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire during the visit of the visit of Secretary General of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa to the Minister of Aviation, ahead of ACI-AFRICA conference and exhibitions to be held in Abuja, Nigeria in 2026.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, on Monday received in audience the Secretary General of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mr. Alli Tounsi ahead of Nigeria’s hosting of the ACI-Africa Regional Conference and Exhibitions.
Special Adviser On Media and Communications to The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood said Tounsi was accompanied during the visit by top executive officers òf Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) including the Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire and Director, Commercials and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade.
Nigeria is billed to host the prestigious ACI Africa’s Acrobatics Regional Conference and Exhibition September, 2026
The visit by the ACI-Africa delegation was to assess the nation’s level of preparedness for the continental event.
In his remarks during the visit, Tounsi emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria’s role in African aviation and the strong case for the country to host next year’s regional conference.
“Nigeria must host this next Acrobatics Regional Conference. BAGASSO is already in Nigeria, and it is only right that ACI Africa is here too,” he said.
Responding, the Honourable Minister who welcomed the ACI Africa Secretary General and his enyourage, expressed Nigeria’s full readiness to host the event.
“We accept wholeheartedly to host,” he stated. “Nigeria has the capacity, the infrastructure, and the commitment to deliver a world-class conference. You can count on us.”
Speaking on the nation’s preparations, the Managing Director/CEO of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, outlined several initiatives already underway to ensure a successful hosting. She revealed that although the event is tentatively scheduled for September 2026 in Abuja—with the exact date to be announced—Nigeria is taking proactive steps to meet and surpass expectations.
She noted that FAAN has already initiated discussions with a leading five-star hotel currently undergoing extensive renovations.
“All hands are on deck,” she assured. “We are confident that we have ample time for comprehensive planning. The hotel management has assured us that their upgrades will be completed by April next year, and the facility’s standards will match the calibre of this global aviation event.”
The visit marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation diplomacy and further solidifies the nation’s leadership position within Africa’s aviation community.
