In the last five years, Nigeria has been subjected to continuous security assessments for compliance to ensure safe and secure operations of civil aviation by the US Transportation Security Administration, UK Department of Transport and DGAC, the French Civil Aviation Authority
BY ANTHONY OMOH
Nigeria has continued to demonstrate unwavering commitment to aviation security compliance standards through consistent international audits and robust local oversight mechanisms. In the last five years, Nigeria has been subjected to continuous security assessments conducted by the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the United Kingdom Department of Transport, and the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) to verify adherence to international aviation security regulations.
This was made known by the Director of Air Transport Regulation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mrs. Olayinka T. Babaoye-Iriobe, at the ongoing 18th Plenary and Council of Ministers meeting of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to her, Nigeria has, in the last five years, been subjected to continuous security assessments to ascertain compliance with global aviation security standards. These audits, she noted, were conducted by the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the United Kingdom Department of Transport, and the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) of France.
“In the last five years, Nigeria has been subjected to continuous security assessments for compliance to ensure safe and secure operations of civil aviation by the US Transportation Security Administration, UK Department of Transport and DGAC, the French Civil Aviation Authority,” she stated.
Mrs. Babaoye-Iriobe highlighted that these assessments underscore the country’s dedication to ensuring that Nigeria’s airports and civil aviation operations remain aligned with international best practices. She pointed out that Nigeria currently has 1,634 aviation security screeners actively deployed across various airports.
In terms of private sector participation, 58 private security companies have been approved to work within the aviation security architecture. This partnership ensures a broader reach and complements government efforts in securing civil aviation operations across the country.
She also disclosed the progress made in human capital development for the aviation security sector. Nigeria currently boasts 96 certified aviation security (AVSEC) instructors and 11 certified AVSEC training providers. These instructors and institutions play a pivotal role in capacity building and ensuring that aviation personnel are trained in line with both national and international requirements.
“Through these mechanisms, we have been able to investigate and resolve security incidents at the nation’s airports in line with the provisions of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NSCATP), and the National Quality Control Programme (NQCP),” Babaoye-Iriobe emphasized.
She added that these programmes have significantly contributed to enhancing secure and safe civil aviation operations in Nigeria, strengthening regulatory oversight, and improving the response to any threat to airport and aviation infrastructure.
Nigeria has also built its internal regulatory strength with a pool of qualified professionals. The NCAA currently has two ICAO-certified Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) auditors, as well as three ICAO-certified instructors. In addition, there are forty-four national AVSEC inspectors, twenty-three certified national instructors, and nine ICAO/Concordia University Aviation Security professional managers serving the Nigerian aviation sector.
These professionals are instrumental in maintaining aviation security compliance standards, both in terms of policy implementation and practical security enforcement across airports.
According to Mrs. Babaoye-Iriobe, “These achievements reflect Nigeria’s proactive approach to civil aviation security and our resolve to meet and exceed global benchmarks.”
She noted that as part of its continued dedication, Nigeria will not relent in enhancing the training and certification of aviation security personnel, expanding private security partnerships, and maintaining international collaborations for continuous improvements.
These efforts, she said, are geared towards creating an aviation environment that is safe, secure, and globally compliant—thereby strengthening Nigeria’s role as a key player in West Africa’s aviation landscape.
With Nigeria’s aviation security efforts being acknowledged by global aviation authorities, the country has reaffirmed its position as a model for safety oversight and regulatory discipline in the subregion.
She highlighted that Nigeria has fulfilled all its BAGASOO Obligations and had previously charged other states in the BAG council to meet these obligations to strengthen BAG.
