By Woke Joshua
The Federal Government is set to deepen cooperation between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation sectors following the recent Nigerian Air Force aircraft tragedy in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reached the agreement on Wednesday during the Minister’s condolence visit to the Nigerian Air Force.
Keyamo, who signed the condolence register before meeting privately with the Chief of Air Staff, said the incident was a national tragedy and expressed solidarity with the officers and personnel of the 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,” he said.
The Minister said the tragedy had further highlighted the importance of closer interaction between civil and military aviation authorities, noting that aviation safety concerns cut across both sectors.
He said the existing cooperation between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Force, particularly in air traffic control, should be expanded to cover areas including airworthiness, certification, training and capacity development.
According to him, he had already contacted the Director-General of the NCAA to facilitate direct discussions with the Chief of Air Staff on the proposed partnership.
“We have decided that we will cooperate in terms of capacity building,” Keyamo said.
He disclosed that a joint committee comprising representatives of the NCAA and NAF would be established to coordinate technical cooperation while ensuring that the statutory responsibilities of both institutions remained respected.
Keyamo also offered to open relevant civil aviation training programmes to Nigerian Air Force personnel, stressing that the military aviation sector also possessed specialised knowledge that could benefit civil aviation.
“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.
Aneke, who expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit and support, said the initiative would further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.
He disclosed that discussions had already begun on developing a framework for technical cooperation, particularly in airworthiness and certification.
The Chief of Air Staff said civil aviation experts could support the Air Force in strengthening its safety systems, while NAF personnel could equally contribute specialised expertise to the civil aviation sector.
“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” Aneke said.
He also welcomed the proposed training opportunities for Air Force personnel, saying they would enhance professional competence and contribute to improved aviation safety.
Aneke stressed that the two institutions shared a common 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 cooperation is expected to improve information sharing, technical capacity, professional training and safety coordination between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.