By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
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 (ICAO)’s Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025.
Leading the executive arm was Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, accompanied by Managing Director (MD), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Director General (DG), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo; Director, Air Transport Regulations, NCAA, Mrs. Olayinka T. Babaoye-Iriobe; and Director of Operations, FAAN, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood.
Others are Director, Corporate Services, NCAA, Dr. Rebecca Eyiuche Aghadinazu; Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr Luqman Eniola; and Director, Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Ahmed Tijani.
The event, which held between February 10 and 12, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was an opportunity to solidify mutual aviation ties between both nations.
The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by the DG, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, 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 on the event in a statement by her media aide, Olamilekan Olusada, on Wednesday, February 12, 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.
At the event, Keyamo signed the amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UAE.
The landmark agreement was executed during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, in a high-level meeting with UAE’s Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq al Marri.
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 spoke volumes on Nigeria’s readiness to work with the UAE to ensure that both nations maximized the economic and operational benefits of the 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.
