Oluropo Owolabi

Dr. Oluropo Owolabi is a Fellow of the Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria and the African Institute of Enterprise Development and management. He holds a Higher National Diploma and a Diploma in Airline Management obtained in 1970 and 1978 respectively with specialization in Passenger and Ground Handling Services. He is also a graduate of Lufthansa School of Transport and Aviation (2003) and has a Doctorate degree in Sciences from the Commonwealth University, Belize (2015).

Dr. Owolabi has attended various trainings, amongst which are International Air Transport Association (IATA) Passenger and Skill Development, Management Communication and Leadership and Airport Management. He was also part of series of seminars in Passenger, Ticketing, Customer Services, Ground Handling and Airport Management.

Dr. Owolabi started his career at the erstwhile national carrier, Nigerian Airways Limited and had his first major assignment with the airline in 1978, as a team leader vested with the responsibility of reorganizing the airline’s operations in the United Kingdom. As a result of his outstanding performance, he was retained in the United Kingdom for a period of nine months. In 1981, Dr. Owolabi became the Nigerian Airways District Manager in Rome, Italy, a position he held till 1986 when he was drafted to head the airline’s operations at the Domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

In 1987, Dr. Owolabi was moved to the International wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport as District Manager, where he brought his vast knowledge and experience to bear in the formulation of the current security arrangement in Nigeria Airports, having served as a member of the formulating committee. In 1989, Dr. Owolabi was transferred to New York as the General Manager, Nigeria Airways, Canada and United States of America. In 1997, he headed the Task Force for revitalization and streamlining of the Nigeria Airways Operations worldwide aimed at returning the airline to profitability.

On October 1, 1999, Dr. Owolabi became the General Manager of Skypower, then a subsidiary of the Nigerian Airways. At the helm of affairs of Skypower between 1999 and 2003, Owolabi propelled the company into greater heights which included a reposition of the company for more improved service delivery through the acquisition of modern handling equipment, which led to rise in volume of operations, while the confidence, support and patronage of customers was also increased.

Dr. Owolabi has received many honours and awards, for his sheer resilience, astute business acumen, innovative skills, corporate excellence, and innovative approach to corporate turnaround. He has excelled in his chosen field of endeavor and has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the aviation sector.