Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in African aviation with the re-election of Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi as Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC). This announcement was made today during the 35th Ordinary Plenary Session in Brazzaville, Congo, where Ms. Adeyemi secured a decisive victory with 22 votes in her favor and seven against. Her success is a testament to the trust and confidence AFCAC member states have in her leadership and accomplishments.

Key to this victory was the strategic support and diplomacy led by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN. The Minister played a crucial role in engaging African Union member states to garner backing for Ms. Adeyemi’s candidacy. Minister Keyamo’s efforts were instrumental in ensuring Nigeria’s influential role in shaping Africa’s aviation landscape. Following the election, Keyamo expressed, “This victory is not only for Nigeria but for the entire African aviation industry,” emphasizing Adeyemi’s visionary leadership, which has helped position AFCAC to drive significant progress in the sector.

The election process, overseen by a commission in line with AFCAC’s procedural rules, was fair and transparent. Nigeria, particularly under Keyamo’s leadership, successfully secured broad continental support, especially within the West African bloc.

As a specialized agency of the African Union, AFCAC plays a key role in overseeing civil aviation matters across Africa, including the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aims to enhance the competitiveness and connectivity of the continent’s aviation sector. Ms. Adeyemi’s re-election strengthens AFCAC’s position in driving aviation integration and sustainable growth across the continent.