Meet our Esteemed Speakers

Ms. Nanna Yakubu Dashe is a distinguished tourism and hospitality professional with 35 years of experience spanning Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

She began her career with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, where she served for 10 years as Zonal Coordinator for the North-Central Geo-Tourism Zone, contributing to regional tourism development, policy implementation and stakeholder engagement.

She is a Fellow of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR), as well as a licensed member of HATMAN. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Plateau Hikers and Tour Association, promoting sustainable outdoor recreation and tourism.

Nanna has held several leadership and advisory roles, including Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State Climate Assembly, member of the Plateau State Tourism Advisory Group (UNDP-TAG) and member of ARSO TC 76 – Tourism.

She is the CEO/MD of Caskada Integrated Ltd, providing tourism and hospitality consulting services to state governments, regional bodies and leading hospitality organisations. Her expertise spans tourism development, workforce development, destination management, youth engagement and sustainable tourism.

Nanna is also a published author. Her book, Introduction to Tourism Studies for Schools and Colleges, published in 2020, is an NERDC-approved textbook for Nigerian schools.

A passionate advocate for professional development, she mentors young Nigerians in tourism and has helped guide emerging tour guides into professional careers. She is also the facilitator of the Next Generation Professional Tour Guide 2.0 Masterclass, an online programme focused on storytelling, service quality, destination experiences, digital tools and professional branding.

Her contributions to tourism have earned her multiple recognitions, including being named among the Top 100 African Women in Travel & Tourism by ATQ.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Nanna brings her extensive industry experience to conversations on sustainable tourism, destination development, professionalisation, workforce development and unlocking the potential of tourism across West & Central Africa.

Ms. Cornelia Danso is an accomplished tourism development, marketing and commercial strategy professional with over 20 years of experience in Ghana’s wildlife tourism industry.

She currently serves as Commercial Development and Tourism Manager for the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, where she plays a key role in advancing tourism development, commercial partnerships and sustainable visitor experiences within Ghana’s protected areas.

Throughout her career, Cornelia has contributed to the development and implementation of innovative tourism and commercial strategies, including Public-Private Partnership initiatives designed to attract investment and enhance visitor experiences across Ghana’s wildlife destinations.

Her work includes tourism development initiatives at Mole National Park, including partnerships involving Zaina Lodge, NEON and SENA Car Rentals, as well as the development of adventure tourism experiences at Shai Hills Resource Reserve, including abseiling, rock climbing and cycling.

Cornelia holds an undergraduate qualification in Marketing from Sunyani Technical University, an MSc in Tourism Development and Policy from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, and an MA in International Relations and Development from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Passionate about nature and sustainable tourism, she brings together commercial insight, destination development expertise and strategic partnership experience to advance wildlife tourism and sustainable destination development in Ghana and across Africa.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Cornelia brings this perspective to conversations on destination development, tourism investment, public-private partnerships, sustainable tourism and creating commercially viable tourism experiences across West & Central Africa.

Mr. Korede Adewale is a seasoned digital business leader with over 10 years of progressive experience spanning business development, product strategy, digital banking and strategic partnerships across Africa's technology and financial services ecosystem.

Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development and growth of several prominent digital banking platforms, including ALAT by Wema, Vulte by Polaris and GoMoney. He was also instrumental in the launch of The Business HUB, Sterling Bank's platform designed to serve the MSME market.

Korede currently serves as Head, App & Online Business at OPay, where he leads the company's online and app business division. His responsibilities include managing high-value B2B and B2C portfolios, scaling payment infrastructure, improving transaction success rates and driving operational excellence.

One of his flagship products, Pay with OPay, has become a prominent payment method for online businesses across multiple local and international segments.

His experience sits at the intersection of fintech, digital commerce, payments and product innovation, giving him a strong understanding of how technology can improve the way businesses and consumers transact.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Korede brings this expertise to discussions on digital payments, travel technology, fintech innovation and the role of seamless payment infrastructure in strengthening Africa's aviation and tourism ecosystem.

Air Commodore (rtd) Ademola Onitiju, mni is a multi-skilled professional with a career spanning law, aviation, security and consultancy.

Called to the Nigerian Bar approximately 41 years ago, he has maintained a legal practice while also operating in the aviation and security consultancy space.

He currently serves as President of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ART), an aviation industry advocacy organisation focused on promoting dialogue and advancing safety and industry development.

Air Commodore (rtd) Onitiju is a Fellow of the Institute of Security Nigeria, as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

His multidisciplinary experience across law, security and aviation provides a broad perspective on the institutional and professional frameworks required for a safe, efficient and sustainable aviation industry.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Air Commodore (rtd) Ademola Onitiju, mni brings his experience to conversations on aviation safety, security, regulation, industry advocacy and strengthening the aviation ecosystem across West & Central Africa.

Engr. Dr. Ebitei Charles, FNSE, FINAE, FNIMMME is an accomplished aeronautical engineer, aviation safety professional and management consultant with extensive experience spanning aeronautical engineering, airworthiness, aviation safety, regulation, academia and management.

He graduated from Loughborough University of Technology, United Kingdom, in 1981 with a B.Tech (Hons) in Aeronautical Engineering and Design. His academic qualifications also include an MBA in Production and Operations Management from Lagos State University, master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Operational Research from the University of Lagos, a Postgraduate Certificate in Airworthiness from Cranfield University, UK, and a Ph.D. from the University of Ibadan.

He has further undertaken specialised programmes in Aviation Safety and Security and System Safety at the University of Southern California, as well as a graduate certificate in Aviation Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA.

A COREN-registered engineer, Dr. Charles is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Fellow of the Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineers and Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Engineers. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Royal Aeronautical Society (UK) and the Polymer Institute of Nigeria.

He currently serves as President of the Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineers and as a Management Staff member of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, where he works as an Airworthiness Safety Inspector.

Throughout his career, he has combined technical, academic and management expertise in support of aviation regulation and safety, and has presented technical papers at local and international forums.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Engr. Dr. Ebitei Charles brings his expertise in airworthiness, aviation safety, engineering, regulation and technical standards to conversations on building a safer, stronger and more sustainable aviation ecosystem across West & Central Africa.

Mr. Michael Wolf is the Founder and Director of formula D_, an experiential design consultancy that works with governments, cultural institutions and private developers to create visitor attractions and destination experiences designed to deliver lasting social and economic impact.

Over the past two decades, Michael has led multidisciplinary teams in the planning and development of museums, science centres, visitor centres, heritage attractions and destination experiences across Africa, the Middle East and North America.

His approach combines strategic planning, business thinking and human-centred experience design to transform cultural, natural and scientific assets into engaging destinations that attract visitors, strengthen communities and support sustainable tourism.

Michael has advised clients across the full development journey, from concept development and feasibility through to detailed design and implementation, with a particular focus on creating experiences that are both commercially viable and meaningful.

A frequent speaker on experience-led destination development, he advocates for a shift in tourism planning — from simply building attractions to designing memorable experiences that inspire visitors, generate local economic value and create destinations people want to return to and recommend.

At AeroWest Summit 2026, Michael will lead a 15-minute session titled “Designing Experiences: Turning Tourism Assets into Economic Engines,” exploring how African destinations can transform cultural, natural and heritage assets into compelling visitor experiences that attract tourism, stimulate investment and generate sustainable economic and social value.