Aviation Stakeholders Rally Youth Innovation as National Travel Essay Competition Marks 15 Years

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Leading figures in Nigeria’s aviation industry, regulators and young innovators converged in Lagos for the grand finale of the 15th Annual National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2026) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Summit (YES), with stakeholders emphasising the critical role of youth innovation and leadership in shaping the future of the country’s aerospace sector.

The event, organised by Travel & Business News, was held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Annex at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, marking fifteen years of efforts aimed at discovering and nurturing talents for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Held under the theme, “Soaring Beyond Limits: Youth Innovation and Leadership in Aviation,” the summit brought together students, educators, aviation regulators and industry players to examine the importance of empowering young people amid rapid technological advancements transforming global aviation.

Chairman of Sabre Central and West Africa, Dr Gbenga Olowo, represented by Sabre’s Marketing and Business Relationship Manager, Mr Nurudeen Adeokin, described the competition’s 15-year journey as a testament to sustained investment in human capital development.

According to him, the future growth of the industry would be driven not merely by infrastructure, but by young innovators and courageous thinkers capable of embracing change.

He highlighted Sabre’s commitment to talent development through academic collaborations and corporate social responsibility initiatives, while challenging participants to prepare for an aviation landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and data intelligence.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the agency’s Deputy Manager, Public Relations, Lagos, Mrs Carol Adekotujo, linked the summit’s theme to ongoing developments in the industry, including the expansion of airline fleets facilitated by the Cape Town Convention.

Capt. Najomo said going beyond limits meant overcoming barriers through determination and ambition, urging aspiring aerospace engineers, pilots, cabin crew professionals and air traffic controllers to seek practical exposure through workshops and mentorship opportunities.

He stressed that future aviation leaders must develop expertise in emerging technologies such as autonomous aircraft systems, electric-powered aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Assistant Comptroller General (Narcotics), Mrs Rita Geh, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), underscored the importance of maintaining a drug-free lifestyle for aviation professionals.

Marwa described substance abuse prevention as a professional and safety necessity, noting that the high level of concentration required in aviation operations leaves no room for impaired judgement.

Through the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, he encouraged participants to become advocates against drug abuse and to safeguard their mental well-being in order to maximise their creative potential.

The highlight of the programme was the fiercely contested essay competition, which featured the topics, “The Impact of Social Media on Air Transport Safety” for secondary schools and “Ending Luggage Tag Swapping in Drug Trafficking at Nigerian Airports” for tertiary institutions.

In the secondary school category, Oluwafemi Joshua Oluwaseyifunmi of Abesan Senior High School, Abesan Estate, Ipaja emerged winner and received a cash prize of ₦120,000 alongside a complimentary ticket to any domestic destination on Arik Air’s network.

Patrick Chidiebere David of Abiolu Comprehensive College, Igando, Lagos secured second place with a prize of ₦80,000, while Eloyewan Naomi, also of Abesan Senior High School, came third and received ₦60,000.

In the tertiary institutions category, Odetayo Omolola Elizabeth of the University of Lagos emerged overall winner, taking home ₦150,000 and a complimentary ticket to Johannesburg courtesy of South African Airways.

Adebakin Temiloluwa Esther, also of the University of Lagos, finished second and received ₦100,000, while Vincent Ikechukwu Maduka of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, placed third with a cash prize of ₦70,000.

A major attraction at this year’s edition was the introduction of the Steadfast Spirit Award by Mrs Peace Jesulayomi Akinsulire (née Lawson), winner of NTEC 2017 and a graduate of the University of Lagos.

The award, valued at ₦30,000, was created to honour perseverance and sustained participation among contestants.

Addressing participants, Mrs Akinsulire recounted participating in the competition six times, including four consecutive appearances, saying persistence and continuous self-improvement had been instrumental to her personal growth.

She explained that the award was designed to celebrate consistency, resilience and courage among young people who refuse to give up despite setbacks.

Patrick Chidiebere David, who received the Steadfast Spirit Award before the commencement of the main competition, later went on to clinch second place in the secondary school category.

As part of activities marking the event, Sabre presented gift packages to the top three performers in the secondary school category.

Organisers expressed appreciation to regulatory bodies and industry partners including the NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Caverton Offshore Support Group, Sabre West Africa, South African Airways, Arik Air, SAHCO Plc and OCP International for their support.

The summit concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global aviation through continuous investment in young professionals, lifelong learning and innovative leadership.

Travel & Business News, organisers of the National Travel Essay Competition and Youth Empowerment Summit, said the initiative has, for fifteen years, served as a bridge between academic institutions and the aviation industry, helping to groom the next generation of aviation professionals in Nigeria.