The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged industry stakeholders to take deliberate steps in identifying, encouraging, and nurturing young talent in order to secure a steady pipeline of skilled manpower for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking through the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Obiageli Orah, Keyamo delivered a keynote address at the grand finale of the 14th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2025) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar, held on 24 May at the NCAA Training Hall, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event, which centred on the theme ‘Navigating Career Entry Challenges to Secure the Future’, was organised to discover emerging talent and inspire future aviation professionals, particularly in response to challenges posed by an ageing workforce and a shortage of skilled personnel in the industry.
Keyamo described initiatives such as NTEC as crucial in fostering youth participation and ensuring generational continuity in a globally regulated sector like aviation.
“As a globally regulated sector, it is important that stakeholders implement measures to consistently attract both the quality and quantity of human capital required to advance the industry,” he said. “Programmes like this offer us a valuable platform to discover, nurture, and harness young talent. The organisers, Travel and Business News, deserve commendation for their role in this effort.”
Opening the forum, the Minister noted that one of the most pressing challenges confronting the industry is the loss of experienced personnel due to retirements, which in turn creates knowledge gaps and operational strain.
“This programme is designed, among other objectives, to make aviation attractive to younger generations while motivating them to consider careers in the sector,” he stated.
Founder and National Coordinator of NTEC, Ewos Iroro, explained that the initiative was launched in 2009 with the aim of inspiring Nigerian youths to pursue careers in aviation, travel, and tourism, while also raising awareness of the vital role played by the air transport industry.
“NTEC has helped shape many young professionals who are now active in various fields across the aviation sector,” Iroro noted. “Just a few days ago, one of our past winners, Miss Adeola Peace, who graduated from Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School, earned her Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering.”
Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, was represented by Olubukola Teriba, the Lagos Regional Manager, who echoed the significance of this year’s theme in relation to the barriers young Nigerians often encounter when trying to enter the industry.
“This theme captures the real concerns of many aspiring professionals who face challenges such as limited access, insufficient mentorship, financial hurdles, and skills mismatch,” Teriba said. “I commend the organisers for their steadfast commitment to youth empowerment, intellectual engagement, and advocacy for aviation development. Their efforts to connect young Nigerians with the aviation and tourism world through writing, conversation, and mentoring are timely and praiseworthy.”
The event gathered stakeholders, educators, and aspiring professionals, offering mentorship and dialogue sessions aimed at shaping the future of Nigeria’s air transport sector through youth inclusion.