The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said Mr. Wole Shadare , an international award-winning journalist and aviation editor of New Telegraph Newspapers has done the aviation industry a great favour by authoring a book titled “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects” a compendium of facts and figures on the aviation journey so far.
While he made the statement during the launch of the book and the maiden edition of Aviation Metric Colloquium, in Lagos on 23rd May 2025, he added that it is a testament to how vibrant the aviation industry is as private individuals and retired aviators keep an eagle eye on the industry and on the people who run the industry.
He announced that himself and his CEOs, especially the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs Olubunmi Kuku and a couple of others will in time, rule out some of the activities the government will initiate to mark the centenary of aviation in Nigeria.
He affirmed that his administration has brought international confidence back to the Nigeria aviation ecosystem.He said the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is working hard to improve the airports infrastructure adding that the Lagos Airport will be demolished and a smart Airport will be constructed.
“Wole Shadare is actually the one doing the aviation industry a favour because he has taken the wind off our sails. We are talking about 100 years of aviation in Nigeria, and we have a committed young man journalist kicking up the process instead of the government. In aviation, we are on the right trajectory.
“We are making the best of what we have seen on the ground in terms of keeping the airports clean and making them customer-friendly.”
While delivering his welcome speech, Shadare said when he joined Nigeria’s aviation industry as a reporter with the Guardian newspaper over 20 years ago, he gradually developed interest in record-keeping for historical reference, which is beyond the reportage of industry events.
He confirmed that the book provides adequate information concerning the activities that has taken place overtime in the aviation industry.He also said it will assist aviation business experts in decision making, innovation and critical analysis.
“The fact that we are continuing to grow is tied to the desire to see a better, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly future.This reality constitutes part of my driving force towards recreating the industry’s story back to the very best. In the initiative of that, we launched a book containing vital information on the industry, the aviation professionals, practitioners, musicians, students, and instructors.
“While the industry has the potential to be a major economic player, issues like high operating costs, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory problems have the potential to create a rising demand for aviation on the market. This book invites you to contribute your thoughts on the issue-carrying innovation that you promote today, which will hopefully help the decision-makers to appropriate solutions to many issues affecting the industry. ”
The Director at the Commonwealth Institute for Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos, Prof. Anthony Kila who reviewed the book said just a chapter or any part of the book can be understood when read.
“The book reader can easily digest any part of it and apply it. I don’t need to sit down to read it from beginning to end. You can start reading it from the middle or the end to draw a very good evaluation.”
