The 14th edition of the Youth Tourism and Hospitality Leaders Forum (YTHLF) has received a major boost with the provision of aviation scholarships worth approximately N2 million for participants of the forthcoming forum.
The scholarships, which will be awarded through a raffle draw during the event, are being offered by the Universal School of Aviation (USA) as part of its commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians who aspire to build careers in the aviation industry but may lack the financial capacity to pursue professional aviation courses.
Disclosing this development, the Convener of YTHLF, Omololu Olumuyiwa, described the scholarship initiative as another demonstration of the forum’s commitment to empowering young people and opening pathways to sustainable careers in the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors.
According to him, the lucky beneficiaries will be selected during the raffle draw session at the 14th YTHLF, scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 29, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“This is not just about attending an event; it is about creating real opportunities for our young people. Many youths are passionate about aviation and have the ambition to acquire professional training, but financial constraints often stand in their way. These scholarships will give some of them the opportunity to take that important first step,” Olumuyiwa said.
He further disclosed that YTHLF has consistently facilitated scholarship opportunities for young people over the years, with some past beneficiaries now gainfully employed in the aviation industry.
“This is one of the things that gives us the greatest satisfaction at YTHLF. We have seen some of our scholarship beneficiaries go through training, acquire professional qualifications and eventually secure employment in the aviation industry. That is the kind of impact we want to continue making,” he added.
The partnership with the Universal School of Aviation therefore represents more than financial support; it is an investment in the future of Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and hospitality industries.
As the industry continues to require a new generation of skilled professionals, initiatives such as YTHLF are providing a platform where young people can gain exposure, mentorship, professional connections and, importantly, access to opportunities that can transform their lives.
The 14th YTHLF, which is focused on developing the next generation of tourism and hospitality leaders, is expected to bring together young leaders, students, industry professionals, government representatives and other stakeholders.
For the prospective beneficiaries, the scholarship raffle promises to be one of the major highlights of the forum, with the opportunity to acquire aviation training potentially becoming the beginning of a rewarding career in the industry.
YTHLF, since its establishment, has remained committed to its core objective of creating awareness, empowering young people and promoting tourism, aviation and hospitality as viable career and economic development opportunities.
The latest scholarship initiative further reinforces that commitment and demonstrates that investing in young people today is an investment in the future of Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors.
