In a bold move to address the underrepresentation of Southeast youths in Nigeria’s aviation sector, the Eastwing Youth Foundation—an initiative of Eastwing Aviation Institute—has partnered with LoFish Global Travel & Tours Ltd to launch the Face of Eastwing Competition and Southeast Aviation Summit 2025.
The program, officially unveiled in Enugu, is scheduled to climax this August with a two-day grand event that promises transformative opportunities for participants.
Speaking at a press conference held at the LoFish head office in Enugu, Eastwing Aviation Institute’s Deputy Provost, Dr. Baba Lola Segun Abioye, stressed the need for regional ownership in aviation development.
“We in the Southeast need to stop waiting for the federal government to transform the aviation sector,” he said. “Must we continue going to Sokoto, Kano, Canada, or India to find aviation personnel? These people don’t have two heads. If our youths are properly trained, they can compete favorably with anyone globally. What’s more, a Nigerian aviation license allows you to work anywhere in the world.”
Abioye also decried the continued overreliance on expatriates, noting that the right support could position Southeast youths to fill those roles.
Echoing this vision, Ifunanya Okonkwo, Admin and Head of Marketing at LoFish Global Travel & Tours Ltd, said:
“We are supporting this project because we believe that exposure and education will carry the dreams of Southeast people across borders.”
With the theme “Growing Dreams: Touching Lives in Aviation through Human Development,” the competition is more than a pageant—it’s a strategic initiative designed to provide scholarships, mentorship, and real-world aviation exposure.
The grand finale, tentatively set for August 2025 at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, is expected to attract over 5,000 applicants across the Southeast. Fifty candidates aged 18 to 30 will be shortlisted for pre-event training in aviation and hospitality. These will be narrowed to a Top 10 during Day One of the summit, with the winner crowned Face of Eastwing 2025 on Day Two, taking up the mantle as an ambassador for youth empowerment in the region.
But the rewards extend far beyond titles.
The grand prize includes a full aviation scholarship at Eastwing Aviation Institute, the first NCAA-approved private aviation school in Southeast Nigeria. The top five finalists will receive free visa assistance to any country of their choice, courtesy of LoFish. All finalists will benefit from exclusive internships, industry mentorships, international certifications, and potential brand endorsements and media exposure.
The competition is open to Southeast indigenes and residents, including graduates, prospective tertiary students, and first-year students. Interested applicants must:
- Fill out the registration form at https://eai-ng.com/face-of-eastwing/
- Indicate their state of origin
- Pay a ₦5,000 registration fee
Organizers describe this token as an entry to life-changing opportunities many young Nigerians would otherwise never access.
The initiative is already enjoying strong backing from partners including Phoenix Crest Hospitality Services, Nigerian Connect, NAN, LoFish Global Travel & Tours, and Artmatazz Media. Talks are underway with major airlines such as Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, and Ibom Air to provide internship placements for high-performing participants.
The unveiling marks the beginning of a long-overdue campaign to reposition the Southeast in Nigeria’s aviation narrative. For decades, the region’s low representation has been tied more to limited access than to lack of talent—a gap Face of Eastwing aims to close.
The event will also feature an Awards Ceremony recognizing excellence in aviation and hospitality. Award categories include Most Influential Person in Aviation and Best Hospitality Hotel in Aviation.
Organizers concluded the press conference with a passionate appeal for corporate sponsorship, philanthropic support, and government involvement, encouraging stakeholders to sponsor at least one youth and help unlock a future of possibilities.
Sponsorship packages include branding rights, CSR partnerships, scholarship endowments, and event visibility.
Registration is now open.
For more details on sponsorship, media partnerships, or participation, visit:
- Facebook: Eastwing Youth Foundation
- Instagram: @eastwing_youthfoundation
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://eai-ng.com/face-of-eastwing/
Together, we will fly.
