Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo on Wednesday agreed to establish a joint committee on airworthiness, certification and training, while preserving each institution’s statutory responsibilities.
Keyamo and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke discussed issues on expanding cooperation on flight safety following a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash at Igbokoda, setting out plans for joint works.
The two leaders announced the initiative after a private meeting during the Minister’s condolence visit to the Airforce.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Tunde Moshood, the Minister said the proposed partnership would bring the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the air force into a more structured arrangement for sharing technical expertise and training opportunities.
A joint committee would coordinate the work, while respecting the statutory mandates of both institutions, Keyamo said.
The agreement seeks to narrow the operational divide between civilian and military aviation without merging their responsibilities.
Keyamo said the Igbokoda crash underscored the need for closer cooperation because aviation accidents can affect civilians and military personnel alike.
“It is one country, one people. When disaster happens, it affects everybody. And so, it is important that we cooperate in the area of safety,” the Minister said.
NewsQuest reports that the two organisations are yet to outline a timetable for establishing the committee and its membership.
Minister Keyamo, who signed a condolence register before the meeting, described the crash as a national tragedy and paid tribute to air force personnel.
“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 military aviation already relies on civilian infrastructure, particularly air traffic control.
The new arrangement would extend that relationship into additional areas of safety oversight and professional development.
He said he had contacted the NCAA’s Director-General and facilitated direct communication between the regulator’s leadership and the air force chief.
“We have decided that we will cooperate in terms of capacity building,” Mr. Keyamo said.
Under the proposed arrangement, Airforce personnel would have access to relevant training opportunities offered through civilian aviation authorities. The civilian sector, in turn, would draw on the air force’s specialised expertise.
“This is a kind of cross-pollination and symbiotic relationship we have decided to build for the safety of the lives of Nigerians,” the Minister said.
Air Marshal Aneke said discussions were already under way on a framework that would allow civilian aviation specialists to contribute to the air force’s safety practices, particularly in airworthiness and certification.
Air force personnel would also provide expertise to civilian aviation where needed.
“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” he said.
The Airforce Chief welcomed the training offer and thanked Keyamo for the condolence visit, saying the two institutions shared a responsibility to protect Nigerians.
“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians,” he said.
