By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN, CON), on Thursday received Captain Ademilola Odujinrin and his team during a courtesy visit. The meeting focused on the pilot’s planned 18-hour nonstop flight from the United Kingdom to Abuja this October. The mission aims to set a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Record in the C-1b aircraft class while promoting Nigerian aviation excellence.
Historic Flight Targets New FAI World Record
Captain Odujinrin revealed plans to fly a homebuilt Long-EZ aircraft nonstop from the United Kingdom to Abuja.
The flight seeks to establish a new FAI World Record in the C-1b category, which covers aircraft weighing between 500 kilograms and 1,000 kilograms.
If successful, the mission will add another milestone to Odujinrin’s remarkable aviation career. He is already the first African to complete a solo flight around the world and ranks among only 120 pilots worldwide to have achieved a solo circumnavigation since 1932.
Mission to Showcase Nigerian Aviation
According to Captain Odujinrin, the record attempt goes beyond personal achievement.
Instead, the expedition aims to demonstrate Nigeria’s growing aviation capability while highlighting African innovation, resilience, and technical expertise on the global stage.
The mission also seeks to encourage greater interest in aviation, aerospace development, and engineering among young Nigerians.
Keyamo Commends Vision and Determination
During the visit, Captain Odujinrin thanked Minister Keyamo for his encouragement and support.
He expressed confidence that the historic journey would inspire young Nigerians and Africans to pursue ambitious goals and contribute to the advancement of the aviation industry.
About the FAI
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) serves as the global governing body for air sports and aviation world records.
As a result, a successful flight would place Nigeria and Africa among a select group of nations represented by only a handful of pilots who have achieved similar aviation feats worldwide.
