The lLeague of Airport and Aviation Correspondents(LAAC) has announced a renowned Financial Analyst and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane as the Keynote Speaker at this year’s Annual Conference scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Providence Hotel, Lagos.
The announcement by the sviation journalists umbrella body is coming barely a week to the August event with the theme, “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects.”
As the time ticks, LAAC has reaffirmed its high level of preparedness for its 29th Annual Conference.
The landmark event has drawn substantial industry interest and endorsements, with robust participation anticipated from across the aviation and finance spectrum.
Rewane, a respected voice in Nigeria’s economic and financial policy circles, will bring deep insights into macroeconomic trends, investment flows, and sustainable financing strategies critical to the aviation sector’s future.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Gbenga Alade,,is the Conference Chairman, while Aviation Economist and Chairman of Sabre Central and West Africa,Dr Gbenga Olowo, will deliver a keynote address that will focus on industry dynamics and the economics of air transport.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will attend event as the Special Guest of Honour, bringing crucial government perspective to the conversation around financing frameworks, reforms, and policy directions.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, will deliver a regulatory goodwill message, affirming the authority’s commitment to an enabling investment environment and sustainable oversight regime.
A diverse panel of seasoned professionals from various segments of the aviation value chain will drive technical sessions.
The panelists include: the Chairman, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Mr. Alex Nwuba,
Former General Manager, Public Affairs, of the defunct Nigeria Airways now Chief Executive of Belujane Konzult,Mr. Chris Aligbe,
The Chief Executive Officer of CITA Energies Limited, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe
The Chief Executive Officer of TopBrass Aviation,Capt. Roland Iyayi, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku,and the Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines.Dr . Obiora Okonkwo
Speaking on the final stage of preparations, the Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee,Mr. Wole Shadare, said,
“We are fully ready to host what promises to be one of the most consequential conversations on aviation financing in Nigeria’s recent history. The addition of Mr. Bismarck Rewane brings further intellectual weight to an already robust programme. Delegates can expect high-impact sessions and practical policy recommendations that speak directly to Nigeria’s aviation financing realities.”
He added that the event will also feature the unveiling of a compendium titled “Celebrating Champions of Aviation Development” – a commemorative publication profiling individuals, institutions, and governments that have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s aviation sector since 1999.
Key thematic areas to be addressed at the conference include:
● Infrastructure investment and airport modernisation
● Aircraft leasing and financing strategies
● Funding Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations
● Jet A1 supply and pricing mechanisms
● Regulatory reforms and consumer protection
● Navigational infrastructure and technology investment
● Insurance and risk management
As the countdown begins, LAAC has assured stakeholders of a seamless and engaging event, with robust logistics already in place and all strategic partners confirming participation.
The conference enjoys the endorsement of aviation regulatory agencies, local and international airlines, state governments, ground handling firms, and financial institutions, reinforcing its status as a premier platform for aviation dialogue and stakeholder engagement.
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