Keyamo, Air Force Chief Move To Strengthen Civil-Military Aviation Safety
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, have agreed to strengthen collaboration between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities following the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accident in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between the two officials in Abuja, where they discussed the need for a structured framework to improve aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training and capacity development across both sectors.
Keyamo, who paid a condolence visit to the Air Force chief and signed the condolence register, said the incident underscored the importance of closer cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities.
According to him, aviation accidents do not distinguish between civilian and military operators, making collaboration essential to protecting lives and improving safety standards.
The minister said the Federal Government would leverage the expertise and resources available in both sectors to strengthen aviation safety.
He noted that the Nigerian Air Force already relies on some civil aviation infrastructure, particularly air traffic control services, adding that the existing relationship should be expanded into a more formal and mutually beneficial partnership.
Keyamo disclosed that he had contacted the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, to facilitate direct engagement between the NCAA and the NAF leadership.
He said a joint committee comprising representatives of the NCAA and NAF would be established to coordinate cooperation in areas such as airworthiness, certification, training and other aviation safety measures.
The minister stressed that the proposed arrangement would respect the statutory responsibilities of both institutions while creating opportunities for greater exchange of technical expertise.
He also offered NAF personnel access to relevant training programmes organised by civil aviation authorities, noting that the collaboration would benefit both sides.
“There is no reason we cannot take some names from the Air Force. We have a lot of training we go for, so there is no reason why we cannot,” Keyamo said.
He added that the partnership would not be one-sided, as the military also possesses specialised knowledge and operational experience that could strengthen the civil aviation sector.
Responding, Aneke commended Keyamo for the condolence visit and his support for the Nigerian Air Force, describing the engagement as evidence of the growing relationship between the civil and military aviation sectors.
The Air Force chief said discussions had already commenced on a framework that would enable personnel from the civil aviation sector to support the NAF, particularly in airworthiness and certification.
He added that NAF personnel would equally make their expertise available to the civil aviation sector where necessary.
Aneke said the two sides had agreed to work towards raising standards across Nigeria’s aviation industry, regardless of whether operations were military or civilian.
“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians. So, we are just a blend of each other,” he said.
