Keyamo advocates youth empowerment as students shine

By Chinelo Obogo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on aviation industry stakeholders to deliberately identify and nurture young talents to address the sector’s aging workforce and skilled manpower shortage.

The minister made this appeal during the grand finale of the 14th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2025) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar held on May 24, 2025, at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) training facility in Lagos.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Obiageli Orah, emphasised the urgency of the situation facing Nigeria’s aviation sector.

“One of the critical challenges facing the industry is the ageing and retiring workforce leading to widened knowledge gaps and operational issues. This programme is designed to make aviation appealing to the younger generation while encouraging them to develop interest in taking up a career in the industry,” she said.

The event, themed “Navigating Career Entry Challenges to Secure the Future,” aims to discover talents and raise future aviation professionals. The competition, which featured essay topics on airline safety perception and artificial intelligence security implications in air travel, saw participation from both secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

In the tertiary institutions category, Miss Olatunji Taiwo from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) claimed first place, winning N150,000. Patrick Onyekachi Favour from Lagos State University (LASU) finished second with N100,000, while Vincent Ikechukwu Maduka from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) took third place, earning N50,000.

The secondary schools category was dominated by Abesan Senior High School, with Abdulazeez Ajoke taking first place and a N100,000 prize. Her schoolmate, Akinyoola Morenikeji, secured third place with N50,000. Patrick David from Abiolu Comprehensive College, Igando, finished second, winning N70,000.

NTEC founder, Ewos Iroro, highlighted the programme’s track record since its establishment in 2009. He cited the achievement of a past winner, Miss Adeola Peace, who recently earned her master’s degree as an aeronautical engineer.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, represented by Regional Manager Lagos, Olubukola Teriba, praised the initiative’s timing and relevance. He said: “This year’s theme reflects the shared concerns of countless young Nigerians who seek to make their mark in aviation, tourism, and the wider transport ecosystem but often face steep barriers to entry.”