Nigeria to Celebrate 100 Years of Aviation, Honoring Igbinedion, Dankabo &

Nigeria's Federal Government will honor aviation pioneers like Chief Gabriel Igbinedion of Okada Air and Alhaji Ahmadu Dankabo of Kabo Air on December 1,

Key Points

1Nigerian Federal Government will honor key aviation pioneers on December 1, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
2Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (Okada Air) and Alhaji Ahmadu Dankabo (Kabo Air) are among the distinguished figures to be recognized for their industry contributions.
3The ceremony marks 100 years of aviation in Nigeria, celebrating the industry's significant evolution and economic impact.

The Nigerian Federal Government is set to honor distinguished aviators who have significantly shaped the nation's aviation industry over the past century. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the recognition ceremony, scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Among the prominent figures to be celebrated are Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, founder of the defunct Okada Air, and the late Alhaji Ahmadu Dankabo, who established Kabo Air. These pioneers, alongside several others, are being recognized for their foundational contributions that have defined Nigeria's air transport history and laid the groundwork for its current success.

This prestigious event forms part of the ongoing activities commemorating 100 years of aviation in Nigeria, marking the industry's evolution from its colonial origins to its present role as a vital economic driver. The ceremony is expected to draw a wide array of aviation stakeholders, including current and former officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as well as airline executives and representatives from international aviation bodies.