Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon have signed a Technical Aeronautical Search and Rescue Agreement to strengthen aviation safety and improve cross-border emergency response coordination.
The agreement was formalised in Yaoundé during a working visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
In a statement by the Special Adviser On Media and Communications to Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, the Nigerian delegation held bilateral discussions with Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe, and senior aviation officials.
According to Keyamo, the agreement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises institutional strengthening, regional cooperation, and the protection of lives and property.
He described search and rescue collaboration as both a regulatory requirement under international aviation standards and a humanitarian responsibility, emphasising that aviation development must be anchored on safety, resilience, and effective emergency preparedness.
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The agreement is designed to enhance coordination between the Rescue Coordination Centres of both countries, establish clear communication protocols, and facilitate joint search and rescue operations within both Search and Rescue Regions. The partnership will improve response time during aviation emergencies and strengthen safety architecture across West and Central Africa.
The Director-General of the NCAA Capt. Chris Najomo who formed part of Nigeria’s delegation reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with Cameroon in line with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The working visit is expected to deepen bilateral aviation cooperation and promote seamless regional integration within the African aviation space.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
