Travel & Business News Marks 15 Years Bridging Classroom and Cockpit at NTEC 2026 - By Daisy BARRO

L-R: Daisy Barro, Associate Editor, Travel & Business News; Oluwafemi Joshua Oluwaseyifunmi of Abesan Senior High School, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, 1st Prize winner in the secondary schools category; Mrs. Rita Geh, Assistant Comptroller General, Narcotics, NDLEA.

The 15th Annual National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2026) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) concluded its Grand Finale on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Organized by Travel & Business News, the event marked fifteen years of systematic talent identification and development for Nigeria’s aerospace sector.

Convened under the theme “Soaring Beyond Limits: Youth Innovation & Leadership in Aviation,” the summit assembled students, academics, regulatory authorities, and industry operators to evaluate the strategic function of young professionals amid rapid technological disruption.

Dr. Gbenga Olowo, Chairman of Sabre, Central & West Africa, represented by Nurudeen Adeokin, Sabre’s Marketing & Business Relationship Manager, opened proceedings by framing the milestone as evidence of sustained capacity development. Dr. Olowo argued that the true evolution of the industry would be catalyzed by ''young innovators'' and "bold thinkers" rather than physical infrastructure alone. He detailed Sabre’s engagement through academic collaborations and social investment, and challenged finalists to prepare for a professional environment being fundamentally redefined by artificial intelligence, automation, and data intelligence.

Capt. Chris Najomo, Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, delivered a strategic outlook through Mrs. Carol Adekotujo, NCAA Deputy Manager, Public Relations for Lagos. He correlated the summit’s theme with current sector expansion enabled by fleet growth under the Cape Town Convention, defining “soaring beyond limits” as surpassing constraints through ambition and resilience. The DG urged students pursuing careers in aerospace engineering, piloting, cabin crew services, and air traffic control to engage in hands-on workshops and early mentorship. He equally highlighted that the leadership of tomorrow must be fluent in sustainable technologies, including autonomous flight, electric aircraft, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by Mrs. Rita Geh, Assistant Comptroller General (Narcotics) at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), introduced operational safety requirements. He framed a drug-free lifestyle as a “non-negotiable technical requirement” for aviation personnel and stated: "A drug-free lifestyle is not just a personal choice; it is a professional and safety imperative," he remarked, emphasizing that the precision required in flight operations leaves no margin for the compromised judgment associated with substance abuse. Through NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, he urged students to act as “ambassadors in the skies” by safeguarding the cognitive performance that underpins technical proficiency.

Following competitive presentations on “The Impact of Social Media on Air Transport Safety” for secondary schools and “Ending Luggage Tag Swapping in Drugs Trafficking at Nigerian Airports” for tertiary institutions, winners emerged across both divisions.

In the secondary schools category, Oluwafemi Joshua Oluwaseyifunmi of Abesan Senior High School, Abesan Estate, Ipaja secured first position with a ₦120,000 cash prize and a complimentary domestic ticket on Arik Air’s network. Patrick Chidiebere David of Abiolu Comprehensive College, Igando, Lagos placed second with ₦80,000, while Eloyewan Naomi of Abesan Senior High School, Abesan Estate, Ipaja ranked third with ₦60,000.

For tertiary institutions, Odetayo Omolola Elizabeth of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos claimed first place with ₦150,000 and a complimentary ticket to Johannesburg sponsored by South African Airways. Adebakin Temiloluwa Esther of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos finished second with ₦100,000, and Vincent Ikechukwu Maduka of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus placed third with ₦70,000.

Mrs. Peace Jesulayomi Akinsulire, née Lawson, winner of NTEC 2017 and University of Lagos alumna, introduced the Steadfast Spirit Award, a ₦30,000 recognition for persistent participation. Delivering remarks at the presentation, she stated: “I participated in this competition six (6) times, and four of those were back to back. I didn’t always get first place, but I refused to stop showing up. Every time I wrote, I became better. Every time I tried again, I became stronger. Every time I didn’t win, I grew. That is why I decided to introduce this ₦30,000 Steadfast Spirit Award, to celebrate something powerful: consistency, persistence, and courage. This award is for the student who keeps trying. The one who submits again. The one who improves quietly. The one who refuses to give up. To the recipient, this is your reminder that your effort is seen. Your dedication matters. And your breakthrough may be closer than you think', she said.” Patrick Chidiebere David, recipient of the Steadfast Spirit Award prior to the main competition, subsequently placed second in the secondary schools category.

The program concluded with Sabre presenting gift packages to the top three secondary school finalists. Organizers acknowledged institutional and corporate support from NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Sabre West Africa, South African Airways, Arik Air, SAHCO Plc, and OCP International. Proceedings ended with a unified appeal for continuous learning and decisive leadership as stakeholders reaffirmed commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s global aviation competitiveness through investment in emerging professionals.