Nuhu Confirms Attendance at Single African Market Lecture
The Single African Market takes centre stage as former Nigeria representative on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council and former Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, confirms attendance at the 2026 SAPTCO Annual Lecture.
Capt. Nuhu confirmed his participation during a telephone conversation on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He cited the calibre of expected participants, the guest speaker and the lecture’s theme as key reasons for attending. Meanwhile, former NCAA Director General, Dr Harold Olusegun Demuren, has also confirmed attendance as Father of the Day.
Dr Demuren delivered the inaugural SAPTCO Annual Lecture last year. His return underscores his continued support for the initiative and its contribution to aviation policy discussions.
Single African Market Takes Centre Stage in Lagos
The highly anticipated lecture will bring aviation professionals and policymakers together in Lagos on November 5, 2026. The programme will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the NCAA Training Suite, Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Former Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Ms Iyabo O. Sosina, will deliver this year’s lecture. She played an instrumental role in advancing SAATM during her tenure at the continental aviation body.
According to SAPTCO Managing Consultant, Mr Sam Adurogboye, the gathering will provide an important platform to examine why SAATM has struggled to achieve its full potential. He described the lecture as both a policy engagement and a training programme designed to stimulate practical discussions.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN, will attend as Special Guest of Honour. The Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, will serve as Guest of Honour.
Other expected participants include representatives of airlines, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), aviation agencies and the aviation media.
SAATM Implementation Remains a Priority
Launched by the African Union in January 2018, the Single African Air Transport Market aims to establish a unified aviation market across the continent. The initiative seeks to liberalise air transport, improve connectivity and support competition among African airlines.
In addition, SAATM aligns with the objectives of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision, including greater market access and the implementation of open skies policies. Its objectives also complement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating regional travel, trade and economic integration.
However, implementation challenges have limited the initiative’s ability to deliver its anticipated benefits. These include improved connectivity, lower operational costs and more affordable air travel across African markets.
Mr Adurogboye said the lecture would redirect African leaders’ attention towards SAATM’s original objectives. He expressed hope that the engagement would help accelerate implementation and translate policy commitments into measurable results.
The 2026 SAPTCO Annual Lecture is therefore expected to deepen discussions on the Single African Market and the future of continental aviation. Stakeholders will examine practical pathways towards a more connected, competitive and economically integrated African air transport sector.
