L-R: The award was presented by tourism expert and Akwaaba African Travel Market founder, Amb. Ikechi Uko, and received on Olubadewo’s behalf, his son, Capt. David Olubadewo and LAAC Chairman Suleiman Idris.
Elder Sunday Kayode Solomon (SKS) Olubadewo, Nigeria’s foremost aircraft maintenance engineer, has been honoured for his groundbreaking contributions to the nation’s aviation industry.
The recognition came at the 29th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), held on August 7, 2025, at the Providence Hotel, Lagos. Olubadewo, now 92, received the Distinguished Honorary Award as Nigeria’s Foremost Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Born in Oro Ago, Kwara State, in 1933, Elder Olubadewo made history as one of Nigeria’s first licensed aircraft engineers. Between 1967 and 1970, he served in a key technical role under the ICAO/UNDP programme without an expatriate counterpart — a landmark achievement for a Nigerian at the time.
He went on to pioneer private airline operations in Nigeria with GAS Airline Limited, before expanding internationally with GAS Airline Express and GAS Air Cargo in the United Kingdom. His ventures also include founding Airline Management Support Limited, Aerospeed Oil Limited, and Starburst Aviation UK Limited, building a supply chain for aviation consumables still relied on by airlines across West and Central Africa.
Despite his age, Elder Olubadewo remains chairman of his companies and continues to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.
The LAAC conference also honoured other aviation leaders, including Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, former NCAA DG Dr. Harold Demuren, current NCAA DG Capt. Chris Najomo, NAMA MD Engr. Farouk Umar, Air Peace Chairman Dr. Allen Onyema, BASL Chairman Dr. Wale Babalakin, and CITA Energies Chairman Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe.
The conference with the Themed “Aviation Financing in Nigeria: The Risks, Opportunities and Prospects”, took centre stage at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, with a strong message on the urgent need to reform aviation financing in Nigeria.
Delivering a powerful keynote address, financial analyst Mary Olowo-Sokeye called for bold, innovative funding strategies to reverse the operational inefficiencies threatening the sustainability of the sector.
Renowned economist and CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, speaking on the theme “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector: The Role of Financial Institutions,” Rewane pulled no punches in exposing the deep-rooted inefficiencies in the industry, while also laying out clear strategies for revival.
“If I come back in another life, I’d rather be a psychiatrist,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. “Because what we are doing in this sector defies economic logic.”
@2025 The Ameh News: All Rights Reserved
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