Investors and stakeholders in aviation industry across the globe would from June 14 to 17, 2022 focus their attention on Nigeria for possible investment opportunities they can explore and take critical decisions on in the sector as the first edition of National Aviation Conference initiated by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) holds.
The Investors and stakeholders’ forum tagged: FNAC, billed to hold at The International Conference Centre, (ICC), Abuja, is the first of its kind in the history of aviation industry in Nigeria. It is programmed to give potential investors and stakeholders the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas on areas of possible interests and how it would open up to the country and the impacts on the industry.
The conference had earlier been slated to hold between April 1 and 4, 2020 but was suspended because of the global lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of Corona Virus pandemic (COVID19).
Emerging from the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the sector and setting agenda for post-covid recovery era, the theme of the conference: “Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport” which many stakeholders believe couldn’t be more relevant than now, will enable stakeholders to brainstorm and share knowledge and ideas on contemporary developmental issues which will provide veritable solutions to the growth of the industry.
According to the Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu who hinted on the conference, he said it is specifically designed to create a forum for the exchange of relevant industry information with all critical stakeholders so that all players are guided by the same pool of principles and practices for conformity.
Speakers at the conference, Yadudu explained further, would be allowed to present papers on topics of their interests on opportunities, challenges and possible solutions to investment potential in the sector even as he added that the forum will also offer stakeholders an opportunity to explore, deliberate and understand how technology-driven innovations will change air travel in decades to come as well as discuss the future of the airport vis-à-vis innovations, safety and security, financing and leasing, sustainability, growth drivers, logistics etc.
FNAC, with aims to attract local and international investors during its investment forum session coming up on June 16 and 17, 2022, will open investors insight to the great potential and opportunities in the Nigerian aviation industry.
Also the conference will offer indigenous industry stakeholders a voice to express their needs and educate others on their operations as well as build the indigenous intellectual capacity that is required to complement and effectively manage the infrastructural developments in the industry.
Some of the experts and professionals expected to make presentations at the forum include: Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, Chairman Air Peace Limited, Chief Allen Onyeama; Managing Director TopBrass, Capt Roland Iyayi; Ag. Executive Secretary/Chief Executive NIPC, Emeka Offor and Engr. Peter Onyeri (Safety )
Others are President, Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN), Ilitrus Ahmadu; Dr. Anne Egbadon-Eyinaya fsi, Director General of NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe; General Manager, Aeromedical Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Wilfred Haggai and Professor Adesoki Adesuga Managing Director, NEPZA.
FNAC’s primary aim is to market its assets towards achieving commercially viable airports (especially the Secondary Airports) as well as create access to sustainable alternatives for revenue generation at Nigerian Airports through funding and innovative ideas.
The forum will centre on strategic diversification of FAAN’s revenue sources with emphasis on non-aeronautical revenue lines including but not limited to advertisement, tourism and land development.
And in achieving above objectives, the Conference will seek collaboration with State Governments and potential investors to explore the huge investment opportunities in the State through the airports. It is believed that this will open up new air routes with corresponding increase in passengers traffic and liaison is expected to be win-win for all stakeholders.
In addition, the forum will serve as a platform to showcase commercial offerings at the airports and in the respective states to attract foreign and local investments. This is borne out of the belief that if the opportunities in the states are adequately harnessed (especially in Agriculture, tourism, solid minerals etc), it will drive passenger traffic into these locations with its attendant chain effects signaling commercial viability of the airports.
