The Nigerian government has pledged its support for the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), to support its safety drive across West Africa.
BAGASOO commenced its inaugural Safety Conference on June 30, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. The two-day event, scheduled to conclude on July 1, coincides with the organisation’s 15th anniversary and has drawn aviation safety experts, regulators and stakeholders from across West and Central Africa, as well as international observers.
Declaring the conference open, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo lauded BAGASOO for its strategic contributions to enhancing aviation safety in the region. Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the minister described BAGASOO as a symbol of successful regional cooperation, particularly in harmonising regulatory standards and building technical capacity across member states.
Keyamo noted that the conference theme, “Consolidation on Current Gains for Enhancement of Aviation Safety,” was timely, especially given the rise in global air traffic, evolving security threats and rapid technological changes in the aviation sector.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to supporting BAGASOO’s mission and regional aviation safety objectives. “Together, we can build an aviation ecosystem that is resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking,” he stated.
Kana also used the platform to announce the upcoming Nigeria International Airshow (NIA), set to be held in either Lagos or Abuja from December 2 to 4, 2025. He described the airshow as a milestone event to showcase aviation innovations, promote partnerships, and advance intra-African trade and investment through aerospace development.
In her opening remarks, BAGASOO executive director, Jailza Soraya Silva expressed gratitude to member states, partners and stakeholders for their sustained support since the organisation’s inception in 2009. She recounted BAGASOO’s growth from a visionary concept into a continental force in aviation safety oversight, underscoring its progress in audit coordination, harmonised regulations and capacity development.
“Collaboration remains at the heart of everything we do,” she said. “This conference is a platform not just to reflect on past progress but to collectively chart a bolder future that enhances the capacity of our states to meet and exceed international safety benchmarks.”
Delivering a goodwill message, the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and chairman of the BAGASOO board of directors, Capt. Chris Najomo commended the organisation for 15 years of impactful service. Represented by Capt. Spiff, Najomo described BAGASOO’s work as a testament to visionary leadership and sustained excellence in regional aviation governance.
He highlighted BAGASOO’s role in inspector training, regional audit coordination and integrating aviation security into national oversight systems.
Also delivering remarks, the secretary-general of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Adefunke Adeyemi praised BAGASOO as a vital cornerstone of aviation safety and regulatory advancement in Africa. She stressed that BAGASOO’s contributions extend beyond West Africa, serving as a model for regional cooperation across the continent.
Adeyemi welcomed BAGASOO’s role in fostering safe, secure, and integrated air transport and lauded the conference’s inclusion of a special session on the harmonisation of economic regulation and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
She urged all stakeholders to recommit to shared goals of regional integration, aviation safety, and inclusive development, adding, “We must ensure that no country is left behind in the march toward a truly seamless African sky.”
