The executive chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has been named Travel Personality of the Year and selected as one of Nigeria’s Top 100 Travel and Tourism Icons for 2025/2026.
The award which was done through public voting, celebrates Okonkwo’s role in steering United Nigeria Airlines to success since its inception. The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, received the award on his behalf at the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market held in Lagos.
The awards’ organizer, Ikechi Uko, said the recognition celebrates the phenomenal rise of United Nigeria Airlines in less than six years and the remarkable impact it has made on Nigeria’s travel industry over the past year. Uko stated that under Okonkwo’s leadership, the airline has prioritised what matters most to passengers, which is greater access to air travel, improved connectivity, operational efficiency, convenience, and seamless travel experiences.
“The recognition honours the airline’s commitment to providing Nigerian travellers with greater access, improved connectivity, efficiency, convenience, and seamless travel experiences, while contributing significantly to the growth and development of domestic air travel in Nigeria,” Uko said.
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The Travellers Awards was established in 1996 and annually recognises outstanding individuals, organisations, and businesses that have excelled in Aviation, Travel, and Tourism while making significant contributions to sectoral development across Nigeria and Africa.
The awards are organized by Travellers Magazine, a publication which was first published in 1993 and is West Africa’s pioneer travel magazine, which shows the credibility of the recognition Prof. Okonkwo has received. By receiving this award, Prof. Okonkwo joins the league of those who have shaped Africa’s travel and tourism landscape.
Speaking on the recognition, Olawuyi said that the success of United Nigeria Airlines shows that a well-managed, passenger-focused domestic airline can not only survive in Nigeria’s aviation market. He said that for passengers, the award shows that when they choose United Nigeria Airlines, they are selecting a carrier that is recognised for advancing the quality of domestic air travel in Nigeria.
