Nigeria Airport Managers Business Forum Debuts At Airports Business Summit & Expo 2024
Today, the first-day of the three-day 9th Airports Business Summit and Expo (ABSE), holding at the NIGAV Expo Centre of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos featured for the first time, a session called Nigeria Airport Managers Business Forum, which had airport managers from across Nigeria, come out to the public to take ownership of their airports by speaking to the progress and viability of Nigeria’s airports.
After a Masterclass on Airports Revenue, Regional Airport Managers in charge of the South East, South West and North West as well as airport managers from Warri, Owerri and Benin took turns to speak on regional airport route developments and airport business opportunities as they highlighted their airports status, opportunities, activities and achievements.
The panel of judges headed by Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun (P.hd), International Air Transport Professional, was made up of Mr. Chris Aligbe, former General Manager, Public Affairs, defunct Nigeria Airways; Mr. Hycinth Ngwu, General Manager, Business Development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Mr. Henry Agberibe, FAAN’s Director of Special Duties and Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Results of the presentations will be announced tomorrow and according to the convener of ABSE, Mr. Fortune Idu, scores shall be based on 5 points on 1-5, leading to awarding the winner. Judgment for scores shall be based on Clarity of Presentation, Market and Promotion Content and Innovation, Supporting Data, Achievements and Identification of Airport Potentials.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Addressing Airport Viability as a Key to Successful Aviation Business Ambition,” which aligns with the aviation economic revamp plan of the present administration by improving revenue generation.
The event featured Airport Master Class on Airport Revenue Generation, Airport Viability Discussion, Addressing Airport Safety and Challenges and Airport Logistics And Cargo Operations.”
The day’s session started with an Airport Revenue and Route Development workshop by Mr. Josiah Chinyama Mvula of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited and Apple Lee from Munich Airport who delivered her presentation virtually, followed by a short panel discussion moderated by Mr. Chris Aligbe who asked general questions related to the panellists’ area of operations.
After this discussion session, the panelists became the judges to listen to a presentation by Nigeria’s airport managers.
Idu said the programme was a build-up to an international campaign for the Nigerian Air Transport Investment Marketing (NATIM) programme, which will focus on Nigeria’s airports
“This is a game-changing programme for airport managers and the first airport marketing contest which is aimed at improving Nigeria’s airport business profile. The result of this program will usher in a new era of airport management as the old set of the NAA staff who were the founders of the airport industry of today are gradually exiting the system having served this great nation in merit.
A new breed of airport managers is being born and, in this information, and artificial intelligence age, the system of leadership and management recruitment and training must promote competence and innovation. Programmes like the ABSE help to set a positive competitive spirit and improve professionalism and will channel the frontier of the new era,” said Idu.
In attendance were representatives of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, the Honourable Commissioners of Transport and Aviation from various Airport states participating at the summit. Hon. Aminu Suleman Takuma, Honorable Commissioner of the Ministry of Industry Trade Investment and Private Sector Development representing The Governor of Niger, State His Excellency Umaru Mohammed Bago, alongside counterparts, Mrs. Patricia Ifeoma Igwebuike, Esq the Anambra State Commissioner for Transport.
ABSE is the only dedicated Airport Business gathering in Nigeria, modelled after Airport Council International (ACI). It focuses on implementing the Council’s reports, findings, and best practices in Nigeria to enhance airport performance in supporting air connectivity.
