Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been honoured with the “Workers Minister of the Decade Award” at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit in Abuja.
The award was presented to Keyamo on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during the two-day summit held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The recognition was presented in the presence of labour leaders and other stakeholders attending the event.
Labour leaders present award to Keyamo
The presentation was led by veteran labour leader and Nigeria Union of Pensioners President, Godwin Abumisi, alongside Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero.
According to the organisers, the award recognised Keyamo’s leadership and engagement on issues concerning workers and pensioners.
The recognition formed part of the activities of NPS 2026, which brought together representatives from more than 100 public and private-sector organisations to discuss retirement planning, financial preparedness and wellbeing after active employment.
Summit focuses on retirement preparedness
The 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit was organised by XEM Consultants Limited under the theme, “Own Your Retirement: From Planning to Action.”
The summit provided a platform for government representatives, organised labour, employers and other stakeholders to examine ways of helping workers prepare financially and otherwise for life after retirement.
Keyamo, who spoke at the event, urged governments and employers to give greater attention to workers’ welfare, stressing the importance of workers to the functioning of organisations and the wider economy.
He also called for adequate resources to be made available to workers and trade unions to enable them to carry out their legitimate responsibilities.
Keyamo speaks on workers’ welfare
The minister said issues affecting workers should receive prompt attention from government and employers, arguing that workers remain central to economic activity despite advances in technology.
“Without these workers, we will not have a country,” Keyamo said, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria.
He also expressed support for initiatives aimed at strengthening workers’ rights and improving welfare, while commending the organisers for drawing attention to the need for better retirement preparation.
The award adds to other recognitions Keyamo has received during his tenure as Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister. In another recent development, the Joint Aviation Trade Unions’ Forum honoured him with a Leadership and Excellence Award at its conference in Lagos, citing his engagement with aviation unions and efforts to promote cooperation between labour and management.
The latest recognition came as stakeholders at the Abuja summit continued discussions on how workers can achieve greater financial security and wellbeing after leaving active service.