Two Federal Lawmakers, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe (Oluyole Federal Constituency) and Hon. Festus Akingbaso (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency) represented the Nigerian Legislative arm at the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium 2025.
At the event, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo signed the amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Leading the Executive arm is the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, accompanied by Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mrs. Olayinka T. Babaoye-Iriobe, Director, Air Transport Regulations, NCAA, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, Director of Operations, FAAN, Dr. Rebecca Eyuiche Aghadinazu – Director Corporate Services NCAA, Dr. Luqman Emiola, Director of Human Resources and Admin and Mr. Ahmed Tijani, Director, Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The event, which was held between February 10- 12, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was an opportunity to solidify mutual aviation ties between both nations.
The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), brought together over 35 ministers, 191 countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the prestigious Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
The event also featured the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM)-an ambitious initiative by the UAE to drive collaboration and innovation in sustainable aviation.
Speaking at the event, Akande-Sadipe said the symposium focused on innovative concepts in the emerging field of advanced air mobility, emphasizing the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE.
She added that the event attracted key stakeholders from across the aviation industry, academia, governments, and international organizations.
According to Akande-Sadipe, experts and industry leaders gathered to exchange research, best practices, and lessons learned, with a focus on the integration of AAM into the global aviation system.
The landmark agreement was executed during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, in a high-level meeting with H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy.
In a further boost to bilateral relations, both countries agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement focusing on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety and regulatory, environment, airport facilitation and security.
Akande-Sadipe said this speaks volumes on Nigeria’s readiness to work with the UAE to ensure that both nations maximize the economic and operational benefits of this strengthened partnership.
“I am pleased to have been a part of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Abu Dhabi, engaging with top leaders in aviation in discussions centered around sustainable air transport, regulatory advancements, and Nigeria’s role in shaping the future of global aviation”, she said.
