BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
As aviation safety is increasingly under global scrutiny, the Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Dr. Allen Onyema, has appealed to industry stakeholders to immediately begin walking the talk with regards to securing Nigeria’s airspace.
Speaking at the high-level Symposium on the Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving the Safe-Skies Goal, held on April 29, 2025, Dr. Onyema challenged operators, regulators and security agencies to move beyond dialogue and embrace collaboration, accountability and innovation.
“It is a privilege to be here this morning,” he began, commending the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for its commitment to oversight and for convening the timely gathering.
According to him, the symposium’s theme was not only appropriate but “urgent,” given the growing complexities of global aviation threats.
“Aviation security is not just protocol—it is the lifeblood of our industry,” Onyema declared.
From cyber threats to terrorism and insider breaches, he emphasized that the security landscape is shifting rapidly and requires a dynamic response.
“Our aviation architecture must be continuously reimagined and strengthened.”
Dr. Onyema was unequivocal in his belief that aviation security cannot be siloed.
“No one agency or operator can do it alone. Airlines, airport authorities, security agencies, regulators, and private sector partners must work in concert,” he said.
Citing Air Peace’s own efforts, he pointed to the airline’s heavy investments in advanced security systems, continuous personnel training, and strategic collaborations with relevant institutions as examples of a proactive security culture.
But technology alone, he warned, is not a silver bullet.
“Security is also about mindset,” he stated, underscoring the need for constant vigilance, intelligence-sharing, and a cultural commitment to compliance.
He urged attendees to hold the industry to a higher standard: “Let this not be another talkshop. Let us share best practices, raise hard questions, and commit to actionable outcomes,” he appealed.
Calling for unity and urgency in addressing the issue of safety and security, the Air Peace Chairman reaffirmed the airline’s dedication to the safety of passengers and the integrity of the Nigerian aviation sector.
“Our passengers deserve nothing less, and our future as an aviation nation depends on it,” he said firmly.
Dr Onyema pushed for a sustained, collective action in realising a more secured aviation industry.
