By Editor
The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has announced partnership to commemorate 100 years of civil aviation in Nigeria.
ASRTI in a statement issued and signed by the President, RT. Air Commodore, Ademola Onitiju heartily congratulated Nigeria on this milestone.
He recalled the centenary journey which commenced when the first aircraft to ever land on the Nigerian soil landed in Maiduguri on the way to Kano on November 1, 1925 is worthy of being celebrated.
Three British Royal Air Force De Havilland DH.9A planes, commanded by Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham had made the historic flight, flying in from Helwan, Egypt, with stopovers in Sudan and Chad landing first in Maiduguri before proceeding to Kano.This event marked the beginning of aviation in Nigeria.
According to Onitiju, aviation contributes a little over 4 per cent to the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any nation, and in Nigeria, it is not an exception.
“Nigeria’s civil aviation industry has in the last 100 years, experienced incidents that have significantly helped the industry’s progress alongside challenges that impeded growth and developments, leaving the sector with an admixture of pains, gains and prospects.
“These experiences transverse civil aviation leadership in Nigeria, airline business, general aviation, training, airports development, industry regulation, jet fuelling, consumer protection, ground handling services, aircraft maintenance, allied business, safety and accident investigation as well as other segments of the sector.
“It is on these basis that ASRTI is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development, which is the chief pilot of the industry’s growth and development, to organise a centenary celebration to mark this historic feat.
“The Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, under whose leadership this historic event has occurred, has directed that December 1, 2025 be set aside as a major day to hold the key activities marking the centenary celebration.
“The event will feature among other activities, seminars and panel discussions with delivery of evaluative papers by the industry’s veterans, professionals, experts and practitioners as well as other stakeholders who will be speaking to the theme of the centennial celebrations: 100 years of Aviation in Nigeria: The Gains, the Pains and the Prospects.
“The day-long event will take place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, FCT Abuja starting from 9.00am while the eventful day would be rounded off with an Honours & Award Night to honour aviation veterans and key stakeholders who have made significant input in the industry’s journey within the last 100 years.
“The Honours and & Awards Night will host many dignitaries. It is expected that His Excellency, President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu will grace the occasion with his presence.”
Onitiju equally saluted the bold efforts by states in the provision of aviation infrastructure and ancillary facilities in the development of aviation within the last 100 years.
According to him, ASRTI has initiated correspondences to these aviation states to partner with it alongside the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the centennial celebrations.
He stated that such state governments are at liberty to pick suitable dates from today November 1, 2025 to mark the centenary celebration by taking advantage of the opportunity to showcase aviation related opportunities in their states in conjunction with local Chambers of Commerce and Industry including organising Aviation Career days where young people would be invited and inspired to generate interest in the career opportunities that aviation industry has for their future.
On the days that any of such state government wishes to host the centenary event, representatives of ASRTI and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development will be present to show support.
“ASRTI views the 100 years of Aviation Centenary Celebration as providing a significant opportunity for Nigeria’s civil aviation industry to do an introspection, review the journey, identify what achievements have been made to improve on them, admit mistakes that have been made so as to correct them in the future and identify opportunities that exist for future growth to stimulate innovative ideas.
“We also salute the Nigerian Air Force for the significant contributions it has made in the development of civil aviation and air safety in Nigeria over the years. We also commend its participation in activities marking the centennial anniversary.”
Recall that ASRTI is Nigeria’s foremost not-for-profit group of aviation veterans concerned about the advancement of safety, security and customer satisfaction in Nigeria’s aviation industry through the observance of global best practices.
