SAPTCO Communication Limited has suspended its 2026 Annual Lecture, earlier scheduled for November 5 in Lagos, with a new date to be announced later.

The lecture was expected to bring together aviation stakeholders to examine the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an African Union initiative aimed at liberalising air transport and improving connectivity across the continent.

The Managing Consultant of SAPTCO, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, announced the postponement, noting that the earlier arrangements for the programme would remain unchanged.

The lecture was scheduled to hold at 11 a.m. at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Training Suite, Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

A former Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Ms. Iyabo O. Sosina, was billed to deliver the lecture, drawing on her experience with the development and launch of SAATM during her tenure at the continental aviation body.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, was expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour, while the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, was named Guest of Honour.

Other expected participants included representatives of airlines, aviation agencies, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and aviation media practitioners.

Former NCAA Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren, who delivered the inaugural SAPTCO Lecture last year, was also expected to attend as Father of the Day.

According to Adurogboye, the lecture was designed to renew attention to the objectives of SAATM, including the open-skies policy, traffic rights and the implementation of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision, which provides a framework for liberalising air transport services in Africa.

Launched in January 2018 by the African Union, SAATM seeks to establish a unified African civil aviation market by removing restrictions on air services between participating countries.

The initiative is also intended to improve intra-African travel and trade, reduce air transport costs and strengthen connectivity in support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Adurogboye expressed concern that the initiative had yet to achieve its full objectives several years after its launch, stressing that effective implementation could improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth and reduce operational costs across the continent.

SAPTCO said a new date for the annual lecture would be announced in due course, while the previously announced programme arrangements would remain in place.

The second JustNet Transport Summit will hold on Friday, October 23, in Lagos, bringing together stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s transport system, improving energy security and facilitating trade amid global economic disruptions.

The summit, organised by JustAlive Communications Limited, publishers of JustNet News, will take place at Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, under the theme, “Navigating Global Disruptions and the Road Ahead: Mobility, Energy and Trade Facilitation for a Resilient Future.”

Chief Executive Officer of JustAlive Communications Limited, Mrs Pearl Ngwama, said preparations for the event had been completed, expressing confidence that the gathering would produce meaningful discussions and practical recommendations for the transportation sector.

Ngwama said the summit would provide an opportunity for industry leaders, policymakers, regulators and private-sector operators to examine challenges affecting transportation, energy and trade, as well as identify measures to improve efficiency and resilience across the sectors.

Among the personalities expected at the event are the Chairman of the occasion, Enisuoh of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited; transport and aviation expert, Dr Richard Aisuebeogun; energy-sector stakeholder, Thomas Ogungbangbe; and transport industry professional, Femi Aiyegbajeje.

The organisers expect their participation to strengthen discussions on the links between transportation, energy supply and trade facilitation, particularly against the backdrop of global disruptions, rising operating costs and changing market conditions.

The summit will also examine the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, regulatory authorities, investors and private operators to address structural challenges across the transport value chain and support sustainable sectoral growth.

According to the organisers, the second edition of the summit is designed to promote policy dialogue and industry engagement, with discussions expected to generate recommendations for improving the efficiency, resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s transportation and related sectors.

Participants are also expected to explore opportunities for partnerships and exchange ideas on practical responses to challenges affecting mobility, energy security and trade.

Dr Abdullahi Musa, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has been conferred with the traditional title of Dan Kade of Kontagora Emirate in Niger State in recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment, education, philanthropy and community development.

The title was conferred on Musa by the Emir of Kontagora, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Barau Mu’azu II, who said the NAMA director had earned the honour through his sustained commitment to the progress and welfare of the emirate.

The Emir highlighted Musa’s philanthropic activities, scholarship awards to indigent students, youth empowerment initiatives and support for infrastructural improvement and other community development projects.

In a statement announcing the conferment, NAMA’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Stephen Onabe, said the traditional honour recognised Musa’s sustained contributions to the advancement of the emirate.

Musa, an academic, political scientist, researcher, author and public administrator, has built a career spanning teaching, educational administration, legislative and local-government service, institutional management, public affairs and consumer protection.

Congratulating him on the honour, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, described the title as a fitting recognition of Musa’s integrity, humility and dedication to the development of Kontagora Emirate.

Garba, who said he had personally witnessed Musa’s commitment to his community, described him as a worthy ambassador of his people.

He expressed confidence in Musa’s ability to uphold the responsibilities attached to the title and prayed for divine guidance as he assumes the traditional role.

Responding, Musa expressed appreciation to the Emir for considering him worthy of the honour, describing it as both a privilege and a call to greater responsibility.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities, empowering young people and improving the wellbeing of residents.

Musa said the recognition had further strengthened his resolve to contribute to the prosperity of Kontagora Emirate.