Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo was awarded the 'Workers Minister of the Decade Award' during the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit (NPS 2026) on September 24 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood. The honor, presented by veteran labor leaders Comrade Chief Godwin Abumisi, President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, and Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), recognized Keyamo’s leadership in advancing workers’ and pensioners’ interests. The summit, organized by XEM Consultants Limited, brought together over 100 public and private sector representatives to address retirement planning and post-service welfare under the theme 'Own Your Retirement: From Planning to Action.'
Keyamo expressed gratitude for the recognition, reiterating his commitment to safeguarding workers’ dignity and rights throughout their careers and in retirement. The award, part of the summit’s activities, highlighted his sustained engagement with labor issues during his tenure. Moshood emphasized that the accolade underscored Keyamo’s efforts in fostering dialogue between government and workers’ organizations to address systemic challenges in employment and retirement security.
The two-day summit featured discussions on financial preparedness, pension reforms, and strategies to enhance retirees’ quality of life. Keyamo’s participation underscored the government’s focus on integrating labor concerns into policy frameworks, with organizers noting his proactive role in advocating for workers’ welfare. The event also served as a platform for stakeholders to share best practices and collaborate on solutions to ensure sustainable retirement systems across sectors.
The 'Workers Minister of the Decade Award' adds to Keyamo’s growing reputation for labor advocacy, reflecting his alignment with initiatives to strengthen worker protections and retirement benefits. The summit’s emphasis on actionable retirement planning aligns with broader national efforts to address aging workforce challenges, with labor leaders urging continued government-industry collaboration to secure long-term worker welfare.