By Kunle Sanni –
The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged continued support for aviation safety and regional collaboration as the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) marks its 15th anniversary with its inaugural Safety Conference in Abuja.
The two-day event, which began on June 30 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, brought together aviation regulators, safety experts, and stakeholders from across West and Central Africa to discuss regional strategies for enhancing air safety.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, described BAGASOO as a model of regional cooperation and praised its contributions to regulatory harmonisation, safety oversight, and capacity building among member states.
“The theme of this conference — Consolidation on Current Gains for Enhancement of Aviation Safety — could not be more timely,” said Dr. Kana. “With rising air traffic and emerging challenges, Nigeria remains committed to supporting BAGASOO’s vision of a resilient and future-ready aviation ecosystem.”
He also announced that Nigeria will host the first-ever Nigeria International Airshow (NIA) in either Lagos or Abuja from December 2 to 4, 2025, positioning the country as a regional hub for innovation, partnerships, and intra-African aviation trade.
In her remarks, BAGASOO Executive Director, Ms. Jailza Soraya, thanked member states for their support over the past 15 years and emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration in achieving global safety standards.
“Our success has been built on trust, shared vision, and partnership. As we look ahead, we remain focused on strengthening our collective capacity,” she said.
Also delivering a goodwill message, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Chairman of the BAGASOO Board, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by Capt. Spiff, applauded the organisation’s achievements in audit coordination and training. He described the anniversary as a reflection of “visionary leadership and dedication to excellence.”
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