In a significant boost for regional aviation safety, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, alongside the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, concluded a successful working visit to Cameroon with the signing of a Technical Aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) Agreement.
The agreement, formalised with the Minister of Transport of Cameroon, Jean Ernest Ngallé Bibehe, and top officials of the Cameroonian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), establishes a framework for operational coordination between the respective Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) of both countries. It also sets clear communication protocols, joint SAR operations, and rapid response mechanisms within their Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs).
In his keynote address, Minister Keyamo underscored the humanitarian importance of the pact, describing it as more than regulatory compliance. “Search and rescue cooperation is not simply a regulatory requirement under ICAO Annex 12. It is a humanitarian imperative and a moral responsibility,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the agreement’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes institutional strengthening, regional cooperation, and the protection of lives and property.
He further stressed that aviation is a strategic driver of economic growth and regional integration, and that safety and preparedness must remain its foundation.
Capt. Chris Najomo reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to international aviation standards and sustained collaboration with Cameroon to enhance cross-border emergency response systems.
The two countries affirmed their shared vision of strengthening aviation safety architecture across West and Central Africa.
Minister Keyamo concluded by describing the signing as “a practical expression of African solidarity, good neighbourliness, and collective responsibility,” praising the technical teams from both nations for their professionalism and dedication.
