Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has raised an alarm over the ageing workforce within Nigeria’s air transport sector, warning that it is creating critical knowledge gaps and operational setbacks.
Speaking through Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the minister made the remarks during the grand finale of the 14th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2025), held in Lagos and organised by Travel and Business News.
Keyamo emphasized the need for deliberate action by industry stakeholders to attract new talent into the aviation field, stressing the sector’s highly regulated nature and the importance of sustaining its growth with a robust human resource pipeline.
“As a globally regulated sector, it is important that stakeholders put measures in place to continually attract the right quality and quantity of human resources required to move the industry forward. It is important to note that programmes such as this, are avenues through which we can breed, nurture, and harvest such human resources,” he stated.
The minister identified the ageing and retiring workforce as a significant concern, contributing to operational challenges and gaps in institutional knowledge.
“One of the critical challenges facing the industry is the ageing and retiring workforce leading to widened knowledge gaps and operational issues. This programme, I believe, is among other things, designed to make aviation appealing to the younger generation while encouraging them to develop interest in taking up a career in the industry,” Keyamo added.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by Lagos Regional Manager Olubukola Teriba, lauded the initiative for addressing a key concern for young Nigerians aspiring to join the aviation and tourism sectors.
“This year’s theme: ‘Navigating Career Entry Challenges to Secure the Future’ 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: lack of access, limited mentorship, financial constraints, skill mismatches, and systemic gaps. I commend the organisers for their unwavering commitment to youth development, intellectual engagement, and aviation advocacy. Your vision to connect young Nigerians with the world of air transport and tourism through writing, dialogue, and mentorship is both timely and commendable,” he said.
The event underscored the growing urgency to inspire, equip, and integrate young minds into the future of aviation in Nigeria.