By Editor
In a significant step toward strengthening regional aviation safety and operational cooperation, Nigeria and Cameroon today signed a landmark Cross-Border Search and Rescue (SAR) Agreement in Yaoundé, reaffirming their shared commitment to safeguarding lives within their respective airspaces and across contiguous flight information regions.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, alongside his Cameroonian counterpart. The ceremony was witnessed by senior aviation officials from both countries and representatives of civil aviation authorities.
The Cross-Border SAR Agreement represents a major milestone in meeting obligations under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) framework, particularly under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
Search and Rescue capability is a critical component assessed under ICAO’s safety oversight mechanisms. The agreement formalizes cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon to ensure that, in the event of an aviation emergency near or across shared boundaries, either state can deploy its assets: aircraft, helicopters, personnel, maritime units, and coordination infrastructure, in support of the other.
This arrangement ensures timely response, eliminates bureaucratic delays during emergencies, and enhances compliance with international SAR standards as prescribed in ICAO Annex 12.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Keyamo described the agreement as “a practical demonstration of Africa solving African problems through structured collaboration.” He emphasized that aviation safety transcends national borders, particularly in contiguous airspaces where aircraft operations routinely cross sovereign boundaries within minutes.
The Minister noted that cross-border SAR cooperation significantly reduces response time during distress situations, particularly in remote terrain, maritime zones and forested regions along the Nigeria–Cameroon corridor.
Industry analysts view the agreement as strategically important given the high traffic density within the Gulf of Guinea airspace and the increasing volume of regional and intercontinental operations.
The Nigerian delegation to Yaoundé reflected the strategic importance of the agreement. Accompanying the Minister were Engineer Farouk Ahmed Umar, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), responsible for air navigation service provision and airspace coordination; Captain Chris Najomo, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigeria’s aviation regulatory authority, Ahmad Abba, mni, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at NCAA, whose department plays a central role in SAR oversight, compliance monitoring, and aerodrome emergency planning and Barrister Mary Tufano Eche, the Director of Legal Services/Company Secretary at NCAA.
Their presence underscores the operational, regulatory, oversight and legal dimensions of the agreement.
Under the new framework, Nigeria and Cameroon will share real-time distress information, Rescue coordination centers (RCCs) will have direct communication channels, assets may be deployed across borders without procedural delay during emergencies, joint training exercises and simulations may be conducted to ensure interoperability and periodic review mechanisms will evaluate performance and compliance with ICAO standards.
The agreement also strengthens regional cooperation within the West and Central African aviation community and complements existing multinational SAR arrangements across the continent.
The signing aligns with Minister Keyamo’s broader aviation reform agenda focused on safety enhancement, international compliance and regional integration. It also reinforces Nigeria’s standing within ICAO’s global safety oversight system and demonstrates proactive measures ahead of periodic international audits.
Aviation stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as both a diplomatic and operational success that enhances confidence in Nigeria’s aviation safety architecture.
As air traffic volumes continue to grow across Africa, today’s agreement in Yaoundé signals a clear commitment by Nigeria and Cameroon to prioritize rapid emergency response, strengthen institutional coordination and uphold global aviation safety standards.
The pact marks a decisive step toward a safer and more integrated African airspace.
