Obasanjo Advocates Good Governance for African Aviation

At the AeroWest Summit 2026 held in Lagos, Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria, articulated that good governance is essential for the survival of regional aviation in Africa. He stated that infrastructure alone cannot sustain the sector without a foundation of economic prosperity.

Obasanjo challenged policymakers, airline executives, and investors to focus on the underlying issues of underdevelopment that hinder the utilization of African skies. He outlined a socio-economic equation linking aviation growth to passenger availability, which in turn depends on economic prosperity and good governance.

The summit's theme was “Financing Connectivity: Unlocking Aviation and Tourism Growth in West and Central Africa.” Obasanjo called for strategic partnerships among aviation regulators and tourism authorities, grassroots capacity building in hospitality, heritage conservation, and cultural integration to enhance the sector. He warned against empty declarations and emphasized the need for operational continuity and accountability.

Ola Wright, CEO of the West Africa Tourism Organisation, echoed Obasanjo's sentiments regarding Africa's chronic underinvestment and fragmented transit networks.