Air Peace, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, has hosted a transformative three-day retreat to deepen leadership and customer experience capabilities. The retreat, held from Friday, July 25 to Sunday, July 27, 2025, took place at the serene Protea Hotel Ikeja Select by Marriott, Lagos.
This immersive initiative brought together Air Peace’s management team in a unique setting of learning, reflection, and renewal. It aimed to equip leaders with the tools and mindset needed to deliver outstanding service in a competitive industry.
The retreat was organized in collaboration with Ricchezza Capital Advisors Ltd., a prominent Lagos-based consulting firm. It was anchored by the company’s Managing Consultant and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Udeme Etukeyen. He was supported by communications strategist, Dr. Uche Nworah, Ph.D.
Several seasoned professionals enriched the sessions. Speakers included customer experience expert Mrs. Oby Roberts; cultural entrepreneur Mr. Joseph Edgar, popularly known as the Duke of Shomolu; aviation executive and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Captain Roland Iyayi; and the High Commissioner of Botswana to Nigeria, Her Excellency Philda Nani Kereng.
The retreat’s theme, “21st Century Transformational Leadership: Building Resilience for Exceptional Customer Experience,” underscored the need for adaptable leadership in today’s dynamic aviation space. It focused on improving customer journey touchpoints, retention strategies, and performance-driven leadership.
Moreover, participants explored responsive customer experience management frameworks and engaged in physical wellness routines and simulation workshops. These sessions highlighted how leadership agility and mental clarity contribute to consistent performance and team cohesion.
The event was not merely instructional; it fostered introspection. Managers evaluated current strategies, identified growth gaps, and exchanged insights with peers. Discussions reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to delivering more than just safe flights — the goal is to create memorable travel experiences.
According to Mr. Udeme Etukeyen, the retreat empowered leaders to “redefine value in customer service and shape culture from the top.” His perspective reflects Air Peace’s broader mission of fostering innovation and excellence across all service points.
Dr. Uche Nworah added that emotional intelligence, resilience, and internal communication are critical in today’s customer-focused airline operations. He stressed the importance of narrative control and proactive engagement in shaping customer perception.
As Air Peace continues to expand internationally, it remains committed to developing its workforce. Capacity-building efforts such as this retreat reflect the airline’s belief in people as its most valuable asset.
Notably, the retreat reiterated that leadership and customer experience are interlinked pillars. Both are necessary to sustain long-term success in aviation and maintain the brand’s competitive advantage.
In essence, the retreat aligns with Air Peace’s vision to lead by example and maintain service excellence as a standard, not an exception.
