BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria and Cameroon have deepened their aviation cooperation with the signing of a key Technical Aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) Agreement aimed at strengthening emergency response, saving lives and promoting safer skies across West and Central Africa.
The agreement was finalised following a successful working visit to the Republic of Cameroon by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo.
The visit, which was disclosed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, included high-level bilateral engagements with Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Ngallé Bibehe, and senior officials of the Cameroonian Civil Aviation Authority.
Both delegations used the opportunity to reaffirm the historical, diplomatic, and socio-economic ties between the two neighbouring countries, while emphasizing shared priorities in aviation safety, emergency preparedness, and regional connectivity.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Keyamo expressed appreciation to the Cameroonian government and people for their hospitality and partnership.
“Directors General of the Civil Aviation Authorities here present, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honour and profound appreciation that I am here today to formalize this Technical Aeronautical Search and Rescue Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon,” the Minister said.
He stated that the agreement aligns strongly with the incumbent administration’s development agenda, which focuses on institutional strengthening, economic revitalisation, regional cooperation and protection of lives and property.
According to the Minister, aviation plays a critical role in driving economic growth and regional integration, but such progress must be supported by robust safety systems and emergency response mechanisms.
“Search and rescue cooperation is not simply a regulatory requirement under ICAO Annex 12. It is a humanitarian imperative and a moral responsibility,” he added, stressing that aviation safety transcends national boundaries.
The Minister outlined Nigeria’s strategic priorities under the policy framework, including strengthening safety oversight institutions, upgrading aviation infrastructure, improving operational capacity, and expanding bilateral and multilateral partnerships across Africa.
He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that aviation governance translates into tangible benefits for citizens and the global aviation community.
The newly signed agreement will enhance coordination between the Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) of both nations, establish standardized communication channels, and enable faster joint search and rescue missions within their designated Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs).
“In moments of distress, response time saves lives. Borders must never become barriers to humanitarian intervention.
Today, Nigeria and Cameroon demonstrate that cooperation — not fragmentation — defines our regional approach to aviation safety,” Keyamo said.
He described the pact as more than a technical arrangement, describing it as “a practical expression of African solidarity, good neighbourliness, and collective responsibility.”
Commending the technical teams from both countries, the Minister praised their professionalism and dedication in bringing the agreement to completion.
In his remarks, Capt. Najomo reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining global best practices as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The agreement is expected to further strengthen aviation safety architecture across West and Central Africa, improve cross-border emergency response systems, and support broader regional integration within Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
