Monrovia, Liberia – The Port Manager of Roberts International Airport, James Mulbah, has issued a bold and passionate call to graduates to become innovators and entrepreneurs capable of transforming Liberia’s aviation industry. Speaking as keynote speaker at a graduation ceremony for aviation students in Monrovia, Mulbah delivered a compelling message that blended inspiration with urgency, challenging young Liberians to shift their mindset from job-seeking to nation-building.
“Liberia does not just need aviation workers,” Mulbah declared. “Liberia needs aviation builders.”
Addressing a gathering of distinguished faculty, proud family members, and invited guests, the RIA Port Manager emphasized that education, derived from the Latin word educo, meaning “to lead out”, must go beyond theory and translate into practical solutions that drive national development.
Mulbah praised the graduates for acquiring critical skills in customer service, airport operations, safety procedures, and weight and balance, but urged them to see these competencies not merely as qualifications for employment, but as tools for entrepreneurship. “Where others see limitations, entrepreneurs see opportunity,” he said, pointing to operational gaps within Liberia’s aviation system, particularly at Roberts International Airport, as areas ripe for innovation.
He highlighted several business opportunities within the sector, including airport assistance services for elderly and VIP travelers, travel advisory and ticketing enterprises, cargo and freight coordination, and aviation training services. According to Mulbah, inefficiencies in Liberia’s import and export systems, along with limited use of technology in travel and logistics, present significant opportunities for young entrepreneurs to introduce solutions that can modernize the sector.
Drawing from global trends, he referenced how aviation entrepreneurs in other parts of the world are leveraging drone technology and customer-focused service models to solve real-world problems, an approach he believes Liberian graduates must adopt. “You may not have capital or connections today,” Mulbah told the graduates, “but you have knowledge, energy, time, and access to an emerging industry. Start where you are.”
The RIA Port Manager also stressed the importance of discipline, integrity, innovation, resilience, and vision, values he described as essential for success in both aviation and business. Mulbah further acknowledged ongoing efforts by the government of Liberia to reform the aviation sector, describing them as a “strong signal” that the country is committed to building a sustainable and structured industry.
He encouraged graduates to align themselves with this national vision by creating businesses, generating employment, and contributing to economic growth. “Do not just aim to work in aviation aim to transform it,” he urged, drawing loud applause from the audience.
The ceremony concluded on a celebratory note, with graduates expressing optimism and renewed determination to contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s development, particularly in the aviation sector.
