Keyamo, Air Force Chief Move To Strengthen Aviation Safety After Fatal Crash

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, 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 crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Keyamo disclosed this after paying a condolence visit to Aneke over the October 5 crash, which involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft operating a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The aircraft crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, with all those aboard subsequently confirmed dead.

The minister said the new collaboration would cover critical areas including aviation safety, airworthiness, aircraft certification, training and capacity building.

According to Keyamo, both sides had immediately agreed to establish a joint committee comprising officials of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force to facilitate closer cooperation while maintaining the statutory responsibilities of the two institutions.

Keyamo said, “Earlier today, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and myself met and agreed to deepen collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authorities and the Nigeria Air Force in the areas of aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training and capacity building.”

He added that the framework for closer cooperation between the civil and military aviation authorities would commence immediately.

“We immediately set up a joint committee involving the NCAA and the Nigeria Air Force which would facilitate collaboration in airworthiness, certification, training and other aviation safety measures, while respecting the statutory mandates of both institutions,” the minister said.

Keyamo also directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to work fully with the Air Force in implementing the new arrangement.

“I have already directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to cooperate fully with the Nigeria Air Force to implement this new arrangement,” he said.

The move came about as a result of the fatal NAF aircraft accident in Igbokoda, where the ATR-42 aircraft lost contact with air traffic control while travelling from Benin to Lagos before its wreckage was located near the coastal community.

The closer cooperation between the NCAA and NAF is expected to provide a structured platform for the two aviation authorities to share expertise and strengthen safety related processes, particularly in areas where civil and military aviation operations connect.