Nigeria’s ambition to stage a world-class aviation gathering in 2026 received a significant boost on Monday, as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, hosted the Secretary General of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mr Alli Tounsi, in Abuja.
The visit, undertaken alongside senior officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) – including Managing Director/CEO, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku; Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire; and Director of Commercials and Business Development, Mrs Adebola Agunbiade – forms part of ongoing preparations for Nigeria’s hosting of the ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition scheduled for September 2026.
Mr Tounsi, who led the delegation, highlighted the growing prominence of Nigeria within the continent’s aviation landscape. He stressed that hosting the forthcoming ACI Africa conference in Abuja would not only be timely but also well-deserved.
“Nigeria must host this next Acrobatics Regional Conference,” he insisted. “BAGASSO is already in Nigeria, and it is only right that ACI Africa is here too.”
Minister Keyamo, in his response, expressed Nigeria’s enthusiasm and full readiness to assume the responsibility of hosting the prestigious regional event. “We accept wholeheartedly to host,” he affirmed. “Nigeria has the capacity, the infrastructure, and the commitment to deliver a world-class conference. You can count on us.”
Offering further insights into the level of preparedness, FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs Kuku, revealed that although the exact date in September 2026 will be confirmed in due course, Nigeria is already taking strategic steps to ensure seamless planning.
She disclosed that FAAN is in advanced discussions with a leading five-star hotel in Abuja that is currently undergoing extensive upgrades.
“All hands are on deck,” she emphasised. “We are confident that we have ample time for comprehensive planning. The hotel management has assured us that their renovations will be completed by April next year, and the facility will meet the standards required for an event of this magnitude.”
The engagement marks a crucial step in fortifying Nigeria’s aviation diplomacy and further establishes the country as a major force within Africa’s aviation community.
As preparations intensify, stakeholders express optimism that the 2026 Regional Conference and Exhibition will not only showcase Nigeria’s organisational capability but also strengthen industry collaboration across the continent.
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