Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has raised concerns about the increasingly ageing workforce within Nigeria’s air transport sector, warning that the trend is creating knowledge voids and posing operational hurdles for the future of the industry.
Represented by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Keyamo addressed participants at the concluding event of the 14th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2025), hosted in Lagos by Travel and Business News.
In his speech, the minister stressed that as a field governed by global standards and regulatory frameworks, aviation in Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the pressing human resource challenges that are emerging due to retirements and the scarcity of younger professionals.
He emphasized the need for deliberate strategies aimed at discovering and nurturing new talents to maintain operational continuity and innovation in the sector.
Highlighting the importance of initiatives like NTEC, Keyamo remarked that they serve as vital platforms to expose young Nigerians to the world of aviation, potentially steering them toward career opportunities in the industry. According to him, such programs help spark interest among youth and cultivate a pipeline of professionals who can be molded to meet global aviation standards.
He pointed out that the sector is already beginning to feel the effects of an ageing staff base, which has led to noticeable lapses in experience and institutional memory. Keyamo reiterated the urgency of reversing this trend by making the industry more appealing to the younger generation and ensuring that sufficient human capital is developed and retained.
Also speaking at the event, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, represented by the authority’s Regional Manager in Lagos, Olubukola Teriba, shared similar concerns.
He commended the NTEC organisers for their role in facilitating access and mentorship for Nigerian youth. Najomo noted that the competition’s theme, “Navigating Career Entry Challenges to Secure the Future,” aptly captured the obstacles confronting many aspiring professionals in aviation, tourism, and transportation sectors.
He acknowledged the myriad barriers young Nigerians face—including limited access to training opportunities, insufficient mentorship, financial limitations, and misalignment between academic curricula and industry requirements.
Najomo praised the event for creating opportunities for intellectual growth, dialogue, and career clarity, adding that such platforms are essential in bridging the gaps and repositioning the industry for long-term success.
He concluded by reaffirming the NCAA’s commitment to youth empowerment, noting that the agency remains aligned with efforts to integrate the next generation of workers into the aviation space through meaningful mentorship, policy support, and educational collaboration.
What you should know
Nigeria’s aviation sector is grappling with a growing shortage of young professionals, as an ageing workforce retires without sufficient replacements.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and NCAA DG Chris Najomo stress the need to attract and train the next generation through initiatives like the National Travel Essay Competition, aiming to secure the industry’s future.
