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Elder Engr. (Dr.) Sunday Kayode Solomon Olubadewo has been honoured as Nigeria’s foremost aircraft engineer.
This happened at the 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) annual conference on August 7, 2025.
The honourary award celebrates his lifetime achievements and pioneering role in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The award was received by Elder Olubadewo’s son, Captain David Olubadewo, honouring the foremost aircraft engineer’s remarkable legacy.
Meanwhile, tourism expert Ambassador Ikechi Uko presented the award, praising the foremost aircraft engineer’s lasting contributions to aviation development.
Born on September 17, 1933, in Oro Ago, Elder Olubadewo is the foremost aircraft engineer with over five decades of experience.
Furthermore, the foremost aircraft engineer trained both locally and overseas, gradually rising from foundational roles to become an industry leader.
Elder Olubadewo was among Nigeria’s first licensed aircraft engineers. Between 1967 and 1970.
He held a key technical position without an expatriate counterpart under the ICAO/UNDP programme, an impressive milestone for a Nigerian engineer at the time.
Also, the foremost aircraft engineer pioneered freelance aircraft engineering services by founding General & Aviation Services (GAS).
GAS provided vital maintenance and ground support to organisations like the Nigeria Civil Aviation Training Centre, now known as the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
Elder Olubadewo played a crucial role in Nigeria’s early aviation years, founding one of the country’s first private airlines.
Recognising the need for aviation consumables, he established several companies that supply airlines across West and Central Africa.
Under his leadership, companies such as GAS Airline Limited, GAS Airline Express, and GAS Air Cargo (UK) flourished.
He also founded Airline Management Support Limited, Aerospeed Oil Limited, and Starburst Aviation UK Limited, supporting the sector’s growth.
Starburst Aviation UK Limited is one of the companies founded and chaired by Elder Engr. (Dr.) Sunday Kayode Solomon Olubadewo. More on Starburst
The company operates in the aviation sector, focusing on providing essential aviation support services. This includes aircraft maintenance, ground handling, and logistics solutions.
It plays a significant role in supporting aviation operations, both in Nigeria and internationally, particularly across West and Central Africa.
Now 92 years old, Elder SKS Olubadewo remains a respected figure in Nigerian and West African aviation.
His lifelong dedication continues to inspire future generations of engineers and entrepreneurs.
