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By Chinelo Obogo
Sixty years of life, leadership and legacy are being celebrated as Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) and voice of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), hits his diamond jubilee.
Okonkwo is described in many parts as a ball juggler.
Despite the scorching nature of Nigeria’s aviation sector, Okonkwo has been able to successfully balance the role of a local carrier, defender of his fellow operators and driver of national development.
As the Spokesman of the AON, Prof. Okonkwo, who celebrates his 60th birthday today (December 5), has consistently championed the concerns of domestic carriers before both the government and the flying public.
The founder of UNA has also proven that a homegrown airline can thrive even amid the challenges of a global pandemic. This profile highlights his significant contributions to the industry and his enduring role as the spokesperson for Nigeria’s airline operators.
Early life
Okonkwo was born on December 5, 1965, in Gombe State to parents from Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. He learned entrepreneurship in his early years when he helped his father in his trading business. Okonkwo was later to earn a First Class degree in Economics and Management of National Economy, a Master of Science degree in Economics with distinction, both from Russian Peoples Friendship University, and later bagged a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science with distinction from the Russian Academy of Science, Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow.
Before venturing into the aviation sector, he had already established successful businesses in the logistics, engineering, security and hospitality sector, most notably, The Dome in Abuja. However, his transition into aviation was driven by a vision to bridge the connectivity gap in Nigeria.
Foray into aviation
United Nigeria Airline received its Air Operator’s Certificate on February 1, 2021, and commenced commercial operations on February 12, 2021 with Embraer ERJ-145LR aircraft, each with 50-passenger capacity, initially connecting Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Asaba, and Owerri. Under Okonkwo’s leadership, the airline gradually expanded despite operating in what he describes as the most difficult business environment. Routes were added to Kano, Sokoto, Yenagoa and Ilorin, gradually building a network that connected different states in Nigeria.
From its initial fleet of four Embraers, UNA has expanded to include Airbus A320s. The airline’s motto, “Flying to Unite,” reflects Okonkwo’s belief that aviation is not luxury but the most essential part of any country’s economy. Aviation connectivity is essential for trade, investment, tourism, and the movement of people and ideas across borders. He said the company made the strategic decision to base the airline’s operations in Enugu rather than Lagos or Abuja to create a new hub that served the South East while connecting it seamlessly to the North, South West and South South.
On November 10, 2025, UNA launched regional operations to Accra, Ghana, from both Abuja and Lagos. It named one of its aircraft in honor of former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, showing Okonkwo’s understanding of the importance of West Africa’s solidarity. The airline’s entry into the Abuja-Accra market immediately resulted in fare reductions of nearly 50 percent, showing the impact Nigerian carriers can have when they enter international markets dominated by foreign operators. UNA has created direct and indirect jobs, from pilots and cabin crew to maintenance technicians, ground handlers, and administrative staff.
The voice of Nigerian airlines
Okonkwo has used his platform as the spokesperson of the AON to push for policy reforms that would benefit the entire industry. In this capacity, he serves as the bridge between the airlines, the government, and the flying public. His tenure has been defined by many issues including the Jet A1 crisis, the “Nigeria Air” legal war, the fight against unruly passenger behavior, advocacy for single-digit loan facilities, suspension of multiple levies, charges and taxation.
Okonkwo has given a voice to problems that airline operators had long endured. His stance that airlines pay more to regulatory agencies than they take home in revenue shows the severity of the pressures domestic airlines face. He has also documented how Nigerian airlines face a much higher than their international competitors while being expected to provide the same level of service levels and pricing.
By highlighting that Nigerian airlines pay approximately $100 in passenger taxes compared to $60 in Ghana, or that insurance costs are five times higher than global standards, he provided concrete data that proves his point. His explanation that aircraft need 18 schedules daily to be economically viable but Nigerian regulations limit operations to 12 hours has shown how regulatory issues directly impact their profitability.
One of AON’s most notable achievements under Okonkwo’s spokesmanship came in the battle over Nigeria Air. When the administration of the immediate past Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Hadi Sirika to sell the proposed national carrier to Ethiopian Airlines, AON opposed it, arguing that the entire bidding and approval process was designed to undermine domestic airlines and hand over Nigeria’s aviation market to a foreign competitor.
The AON dragged the government to court because the stakes were enormous. Nigeria has over 85 bilateral air services agreements (BASA) globally and this gives access to lucrative international routes. The prospect of these benefits being available to an Ethiopian carrier, while Nigerian operators struggled with difficult operating conditions was, in AON’s view, a hard pill to swallow.
Okonkwo became the voice of the resistance. He argued that the deal was not a “national carrier” project but a “foreign acquisition” disguised as one. He was relentless in the media, exposing the opacity of the shareholder agreement and the lack of due process in the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) acquisition. In August 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos vindicated AON’s position, declaring the sale null and void. Okonkwo celebrated this not just as a victory for AON, but as a “patriotic duty” fulfilled, ensuring that the Nigerian aviation market remained in the hands of Nigerian investors rather than being cannibalised by a foreign monopoly.
In an era where air rage has become increasingly common, Okonkwo has taken a hard stance to protect airlines and their workers. He has been instrumental in enforcing a “Zero Tolerance” policy against unruly passengers. An incident occurred in August 2025 aboard an Ibom Air flight where a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, physically assaulted crew members. Okonkwo, speaking for the AON, announced an immediate “indefinite ban” for the passengers across all AON member airlines. Although the ban was later lifted following the intervention of the Aviation Minister and a show of remorse, Okonkwo used the incident to lobby the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to tighten airport security.
In 2022 and continuing into 2024, the price of aviation fuel skyrocketed and Okonkwo again became the face of crisis management. He issued repeated statements detailing exactly how fuel scarcity would affect operations.
Under Okonkwo’s spokesmanship, AON has developed good relationships with relevant government stakeholders, particularly the Aviation Minister, Keyamo. The organization has commended Keyamo for defending domestic carriers’ interests and facilitating access to dry-leased aircraft that will enable fleet expansion. He has consistently argued that Nigeria cannot achieve its $1 trillion economy target without a thriving aviation sector.
Recognition
Okonkwo has earned respect from his peers and other stakeholders. Allen Onyema who is Chairman of Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, has publicly described him as “a blessing to the Aviation Industry in Nigeria” and commended his work in promoting peace and unity. Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, who was at the airline’s inaugural flight to Ghana, urged Nigerian airlines to work together under leaders like Okonkwo and Onyema, noting that unity strengthens collective advocacy with the government.
In 2022, the late President Muhammadu Buhari awarded Okonkwo the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), in recognition of his contributions to entrepreneurship and national development. He serves as a Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, sharing practical business insights with the next generation.
