Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has been appointed chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) states.
The announcement was made during the 4th meeting of the BAG Council of Ministers, held in Abuja, Nigeria. The council consists of transport and aviation ministers from seven West African countries: Nigeria, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Dignitaries at the special session included Dr. Jose Luis S.A. Nogueira (Cabo Verde), Hon. Ebrima Sillah (The Gambia), Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe (Ghana), Hon. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo (Guinea), Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler (Liberia) and Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay (Sierra Leone).
As chairman, Keyamo is expected to steer the council in strengthening regional cooperation, harmonising aviation regulations and advancing key initiatives to improve air transport safety, efficiency and connectivity across member states.
The Banjul Accord Group was established to foster sub-regional collaboration in the development of safe, secure and sustainable civil aviation systems in West Africa, in alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and practices.
The Abuja meeting featured high-level discussions on shared aviation challenges, infrastructure development, capacity building and strategies for enhancing regional air connectivity.
Keyamo’s appointment is seen as a significant step towards reinvigorating the BAG’s mission. Stakeholders anticipate that his leadership will usher in renewed momentum for achieving collective goals in air transport development across the sub-region.
