Players in Nigeria’s aviation sector have been told that accelerated digital transformation is critical to improving efficiency, curbing corruption and strengthening financial governance across the industry.

The Director of Membership Affairs of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Sakiru Balogun, said this yesterday in Lagos at the first anniversary of ICAN Aviation in Lagos with the theme, ‘Digital Transformation, Professional Excellence and Financial Governance within Nigeria’s Aviation Industry’.

Speaking at the week-long celebration, Balogun said that the transition from manual processes to digital systems would significantly enhance operational effectiveness in the sector.

According to him, the industry had historically relied heavily on manual and cash-based transactions, a practice he insisted limited efficiency and created opportunities for malpractice.

According to him, reducing human interference in operational processes through digitalisation would not only improve service delivery but also minimise systemic loopholes.

Balogun dismissed the fears that automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) would lead to job losses; rather said, digital transformation would instead create opportunities for those willing to adapt.

He added: “I remember when I travelled to London, I didn’t see any human beings, even to get the carts for my load. I had to put my coins and the cart and it came out. So, we need to go digital to have overall efficiency.

“Anything involving human beings, there’s going to be some issues and it will lead to the evil that we call corruption. So, I will encourage that we digitalise all activities in the aviation sector for efficiency and effectiveness.”

He also rated Nigeria’s aviation efficiency at about 40 per cent, noting that although progress had been made over the years, he insisted there is still significant room for improvement.

He, however, mentioned recent improvements such as the introduction of electronic toll payments and online transaction systems, but maintained that these represent only the early stages of full digital transformation.

Balogun, however, identified low digital literacy among many Nigerians as a major barrier to adoption.

Also speaking, Chairman of ICAN Aviation Chapter, Ayodele Olatiregun, said digitalisation was already reshaping financial operations within the aviation ecosystem.

Olatiregun in his welcome address, said that most transactions in aviation are now automated, stressing that the era of physical ticketing was long gone.

Olatiregun emphasised that financial governance lies at the core of digital transformation, noting that accurate revenue tracking and accountability depend on robust automated systems.

He added, “At the end of the day, aviation is about paying for services and properly accounting for the revenues generated. Digital systems make this more transparent and efficient.”

He expressed further that ICAN members within the aviation sector had fully embraced the shift, positioning the chapter as a key driver of innovation despite its relatively small membership.

Former ICAN President Dr Comfort Eyitayo emphasised the urgency of digital adoption.

Eyitayo, who was the Chairman of the occasion, maintained that digitalisation was no longer optional in modern aviation.

She noted that aviation, by its nature, demanded precision, accountability and strict risk management, qualities that aligned with the accounting profession.

She stressed that combining aviation operations with quality financial governance creates a system built on transparency and excellence.

Eyitayo challenged professionals in the sector to go beyond routine responsibilities and play active roles in shaping the future of aviation in Nigeria.