How should Africa move people and goods in the years ahead? That question is at the centre of a four-day international conference now under way in Abuja. The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, is hosting it through its Department of Aviation Business, in collaboration with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
The basics
This is the second international conference in the series. It runs from October 19 to 22, 2026, at the Festus Keyamo Hall, AAAU Permanent Site. The theme is “Digital Transformation and Sustainable Strategies for Africa’s Multimodal Transport Future.” It has drawn aviation professionals, academics and other stakeholders.
The opening ceremony
Remarks were given by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, and the Rector of NCAT, Dr Danjuma Ismaila Adamu. The Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Alhaji (Dr.) Bukar Goni Aji, was represented by a council member, Honourable Chidi Nwogu.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was represented by Shitu Ayodeji, Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the ministry. He delivered the Minister’s speech and formally declared the conference open.
Others present included a former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Babatunde Omotoba. A member of the university’s Governing Council, Engr. Ahmed Zakari Nguruje, also attended, along with Professor Vincent Weli, who represented the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Keynote and paper presentations
The keynote address was given by Capt. Roland Yayi, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). He looked at the conference theme from an industry point of view. After the opening, the programme moved on to academic paper presentations, where scholars and stakeholders are sharing ideas on digital innovation, sustainability and the future of transport across Africa.
Why it matters
Multimodal transport means linking different ways of travelling and moving goods, such as air, road, rail and water, into one connected system. For students of aviation, transport and logistics, conferences like this show where the industry is heading and what skills it will need.
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