Meet our Esteemed Speakers

Mr. Tayo Ojuri is the Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager of Aglow Air Limited, a dedicated cargo airline focused on providing safe, secure and reliable flight operations within Nigeria and across West & Central Africa.

He holds a Master’s degree in Airport Planning and Management from Cranfield University, UK, and is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives, as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIOD) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria (CILT).

With more than three decades of industry experience spanning three continents, Mr. Ojuri has worked extensively across airline operations, ground operations, airport operations and management, airport revenue and operations systems, and Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT) projects.

A strong advocate for aviation safety, he views aviation as a critical catalyst for Nigeria’s economic growth, with the potential to strengthen foreign direct investment, facilitate trade and support economic diversification.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Mr. Ojuri brings his operational and industry expertise to conversations on cargo aviation, connectivity, trade, logistics and the role of aviation in unlocking economic opportunity across West & Central Africa.

Ambassador Dr. Charles Omini serves as the West Africa Special Envoy and Nigeria Country President of the International Human Rights Protection Service (IHRPS).

In this capacity, he contributes to the organisation's work across West Africa, with a focus on human rights, regional engagement and inclusive development.

His participation at AeroWest Summit 2026 brings a broader development perspective to the summit's conversations on regional cooperation, sustainable development and creating inclusive opportunities through aviation, tourism and investment across West & Central Africa.

Bayo “Lion” Adedeji is a globally recognised business executive, transformational leader and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, one of Africa’s leading travel technology companies.

He joined Wakanow in 2019 as Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Transformation and was appointed Group CEO within six months. Under his leadership, the company achieved profitability, underwent a major restructuring into a Group entity and expanded its operations across Africa and international markets.

Bayo has driven the development of technology-led travel solutions designed to improve accessibility, convenience and customer experience, while advancing Wakanow’s position within Africa’s evolving travel ecosystem. His leadership has also focused on strengthening airline partnerships, expanding market access and leveraging technology to scale travel across the continent.

Before Wakanow, Bayo held senior roles at Amazon, Walmart and PetSmart, gaining extensive experience across finance, operations, category management, business transformation and strategic growth in some of the world's largest corporations.

Beyond corporate leadership, he is a serial entrepreneur with ventures spanning hospitality, lifestyle, food, entertainment and real estate, and is committed to building businesses that create economic opportunities and empower communities.

Bayo holds an MBA in Finance from Clark Atlanta University and a B.Sc. in Demography and Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University. His insights and leadership have been featured on international platforms including CNN and BBC, and he has spoken at global industry forums including Phocuswright Europe.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Bayo brings his experience at the intersection of travel, technology, commerce and African markets to conversations on how innovation, connectivity and collaboration can unlock the next phase of growth for tourism and travel across West & Central Africa.

Engr. Mazi Nnamdi Nwafor Udoh, FNSE is an aeronautical engineer, aviation consultant and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

He is a graduate of the Nigerian Civil Aviation College, Zaria, with further training at aviation institutions in Germany and Canada, as well as academic experience at City University, London and Harvard University Business School, Boston, Massachusetts.

A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Udoh has built extensive experience across aviation engineering, airspace management and industry leadership.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, he brings his technical and leadership experience to conversations on airspace management, aviation infrastructure, safety, operational efficiency and connectivity across West & Central Africa.

Mr. Olumide Ohunayo is an aviation professional, analyst and policy advocate with more than three decades of experience in Nigeria’s aviation industry. He holds a B.Sc. in Statistics and Demography, a Postgraduate Diploma in Manpower Economics, and an M.Sc. in Transport Studies.

He began his aviation career in 1993 with Nigeria Airways Limited, initially working in operations before moving into marketing and sales, where he headed the airline’s National Stadium Sales Office and coordinated travel for sporting associations representing Nigeria.

He later served as Head of Marketing and Sales at Capital Airlines, where he was involved in route development and charter operations with state governments, before moving to Santo Air, the core investor in Capital Airlines, as Head of Administration and Public Relations.

His career has also included work in security and aviation consultancy, corporate travel, government relations and business management. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Board Member of Zenith Travel and Consult, where he also functions as Head of Corporate Travel and Government Relations, and as an Executive Director at Bim-Marire Nigeria Limited.

Mr. Ohunayo is the General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ART), where he has held several leadership positions and contributes to the organisation's advocacy for aviation safety and efficiency. He is also the Founder and Chief Administrator of the Aviation Policy & Strategy forum, a platform focused on commercial and civil aviation issues.

An IATA scholar, he holds professional certifications in airline management, flight safety, aircraft operations, flight operations and safety oversight from organisations including IATA, ICAO, Boeing and the Ministry of Aviation.

A respected aviation analyst, Mr. Ohunayo has contributed articles, presentations and expert commentary to media platforms in Nigeria and internationally.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, he brings his extensive industry and policy experience to conversations on aviation safety, operational efficiency, connectivity, regulation and the development of a stronger aviation ecosystem across West & Central Africa.

Mr. Beni Gaston Mbenga is the Chief Executive Officer of Sion Airlines, an aviation leader focused on strengthening air connectivity and expanding opportunities within Africa’s aviation ecosystem.

With his experience in business and regional development, he brings a perspective on the role of aviation in connecting markets, facilitating movement and supporting broader economic integration across the continent.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Mr. Mbenga joins industry leaders, policymakers and investors for critical conversations on aviation connectivity, regional integration, investment and the development of a more connected West & Central Africa.

Ms. Coralita Yard is an accomplished entrepreneur, international development advocate, humanitarian leader and consultant specialising in Africa–Caribbean relations, cross-cultural engagement and strategic partnership development.

She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Korvana, where she focuses on building meaningful connections between Africa and the Caribbean through business, culture, tourism, humanitarian initiatives and economic collaboration.

Coralita currently serves on the Board of Freedom Pilgrims, an initiative of the West Africa Tourism Organisation dedicated to reconnecting Africans in the Diaspora with the continent through tourism, cultural exchange, heritage engagement, investment opportunities and people-to-people diplomacy.

She also serves as Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs, Office of the Special Envoy, West Africa, with the International Human Rights Protection Service (IHRPS), supporting initiatives focused on vulnerable populations, human rights awareness, social justice and sustainable development.

Through her consultancy work, Coralita advises governments, organisations, businesses and institutions on opportunities for investment, tourism development, cultural exchange and strategic partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean.

A passionate advocate for women, youth and underserved communities, she champions initiatives focused on social inclusion, economic empowerment, leadership development and sustainable impact.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Coralita brings her experience in international development, tourism, diaspora engagement and Africa–Caribbean relations to conversations on connectivity, investment, cultural exchange and building stronger relationships between Africa, the Caribbean and the global African community.

Mr. Kyle Gittens is a Senior Destination Management Executive with over 17 years of experience in tourism management and destination marketing, including 12 years of international leadership experience across the United Kingdom, United States, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

He currently serves as Director, Middle East & Africa at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), where he is responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to support sustainable tourism growth across these markets. His work includes building partnerships with tourism trade, media and industry stakeholders, leading co-operative marketing campaigns and representing Barbados at global industry events to strengthen destination visibility and drive visitor arrivals.

His career with BTMI has included senior positions such as Director of Marketing (Ag.), Marketing Manager and Senior Business Development Officer, Latin America.

Earlier in his career, Kyle served as a Research Analyst at the Barbados Tourism Authority, providing market intelligence and policy insights that contributed to aviation and tourism development strategies.

He holds a Master of Science in Tourism and Event Management with Distinction and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. His academic research focused on the socio-cultural impacts of tourism development and factors influencing tourism demand in developing destinations.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Kyle brings his international destination marketing and market development experience to conversations on tourism growth, connectivity, destination strategy and strengthening links between Africa, the Caribbean and global tourism markets.