Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities are considering expanded cooperation on flight safety after an Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State killed 25 service personnel.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force are expected to strengthen their working relationship following the accident in Igbokoda, the administrative centre of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State. The crash prompted discussions between Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Aneke on closer coordination between the two institutions.
Keyamo visited Aneke to offer condolences over the fatal incident and, after signing the condolence register, held a private meeting with the Air Force chief. The two officials concluded that civilian and military aviation regulators need deeper cooperation while continuing to operate within their separate legal responsibilities.
The proposed partnership is intended to address aviation safety, aircraft airworthiness, certification procedures, training and broader capacity development. “We have decided that we will cooperate in terms of capacity building,” Keyamo said.
Aneke thanked the minister for the visit and for his ongoing support for the Nigerian Air Force. He said both sides had agreed on the need to raise standards across Nigeria’s aviation sector, encompassing both military and commercial operations. “We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” Aneke said.
