Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, have agreed to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft tragedy in Igbokoda.
The decision was reached on Wednesday when Keyamo paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff over the incident.
After signing the condolence register, the minister held a private meeting with Aneke, where both leaders agreed to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), particularly in aviation safety.
Keyamo, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, described the incident as a national tragedy and expressed sympathy with the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
“We value the Air Force. We value the efforts of the gallant men and women of the Air Force and what they do for the country,” the minister said.
NCAA, NAF to share expertise
Keyamo said aviation accidents could affect both military and civilian operators, making closer cooperation between the two sectors necessary.
He said the existing relationship between the NAF and civil aviation authorities, particularly in air traffic control, should be expanded to cover airworthiness, certification, training, capacity building and other critical safety areas.
According to him, he had already contacted the Director-General of the NCAA to facilitate direct engagement between the regulatory authority and the Chief of Air Staff.
“We have decided that we will cooperate in terms of capacity building,” Keyamo said.
The minister disclosed that a joint committee involving the NCAA and NAF would be established to promote technical cooperation while respecting the statutory responsibilities of both institutions.
He also offered to make relevant civil aviation training programmes available to NAF personnel.
‘Both sides have expertise to offer’
Keyamo noted that the Nigerian Air Force also possesses specialised aviation expertise that could benefit the civil aviation sector.
“This is a kind of cross-pollination and symbiotic relationship we have decided to build for the safety of the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Responding, Aneke thanked the minister for the condolence visit and his continued support for the Nigerian Air Force.
He said discussions had already begun on a framework for technical cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities.
According to the Air Chief, civil aviation personnel could contribute to the Air Force’s safety systems, particularly in airworthiness and certification, while NAF personnel could equally provide specialised expertise to the civil aviation sector when required.
“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” Aneke said.
Aneke also welcomed the proposed training opportunities for Air Force personnel, saying they would strengthen professional capacity and improve aviation safety.
He stressed that both institutions had a shared responsibility to protect Nigerian lives.
“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians. So we are just a blend of each other,” he said.
The proposed framework is expected to improve information sharing, technical cooperation, professional training and safety coordination between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.
