AM EDITORIAL: How Collaboration, Cooperation, Synergy Can Improve Nigeria’s Aviation Security
The aviation Industry is, indeed, the lifeline of global connectivity by acting as a key enabler for commerce, cultural exchange and economic development. Expectedly, these opportunities come with increasingly-evolving threats of cyberattacks, terrorism, insider-threats, unmanned aerial systems; not forgetting the intricate dilemmas of cargo, passenger and airport security.
The threat environment is constantly changing and any attack on civil aviation through any one of these means can only be countered by the implementation of effective aviation security counter measures. This is an era when according to Dr. Harold Demuren, terrorists utilize enough time to plan and train, have enough money for operations and are ready to die in the process of executing their evil mission.
Measures to counter security threats can be effective only if the people responsible for protecting the industry carry out their tasks effectively and efficiently and this requires basically collaboration, synergy and cooperation of all stakeholders in the industry.
According to the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, achieving security is not a destination. Rather, it is a continuous painstaking journey requiring the firm commitment to responsibility of every relevant stakeholder.
Failure of aviation security does not only threaten national sovereignty but can severely disrupt flight operations, air traffic management, and public confidence in the aviation sector. This is why the regulatory body, NCAA deserves commendation for organizing a Symposium on aviation security with the Theme: “Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving the Safe- Skies Goal, held in Lagos on April 29, 2025. The forum provided a timely opportunity for aviation security stakeholders to share perspectives, strengthen cooperation, and collectively chart a proactive course towards addressing emerging threats.
One of the challenges of aviation security in Nigeria has been lack of synergy and collaboration among security agencies as despite the shared responsibility for securing aviation infrastructure, coordination among security agencies remained weak. This lack of synergy delays critical decision-making and hinders unified responses to security threats The absence of structured inter-agency communication channels, overlapping mandates, and fragmented incident response mechanisms continued to compromise the effectiveness of security operations at airports.
We agree with some stakeholders’ proposal for a national aviation security coordination framework, anchored by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and regularly inspected or audited by NCAA, to drive seamless collaboration among all security stakeholders.
Such task force is expected to convene regularly to share intelligence, develop joint action plans, conduct simulations, and issue coordinated advisories. A public private partnership is equally required in modern security infrastructure investments.
Engr. Umar Farouk recommended that a centralized vetting system should be established by NCAA in conjunction with the recruiting agency to verify qualifications and monitor compliance across all agencies and operators because “to truly achieve the “Safe Skies” objective, aviation security must transition from a reactive to a proactive paradigm-grounded in collaboration.”
In an era where global air travel is both a cornerstone of economic progress and a target of evolving security threats, the need for robust, innovative, and collaborative aviation security measures has never been greater. The various agencies can collectively share strategies and frameworks that ensure safety without compromising efficiency. Information sharing and coordination among all stakeholders is essential in preventing and responding to security threats since no one can do it alone.
Security agencies are also required to collaborate and cooperate with all operators to ensure their duties are carried out in the most efficient and professional manner. As part of these efforts, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has directed the implementation of a one stop joint monitoring screening system to avert clumsiness and touting in aviation operations. It is very important for all operators in the industry to be security conscious and always share information among themselves to ensure the safety of both Nigeria’s airports and airspace.
We cannot agree less with the National Security Adviser that “aviation security stands as a cornerstone in safeguarding not only our airspace but also our national integrity and achieving this is only possible when robust, collaborative and forward-thinking frameworks are put in place.”
It is only through thorough vigilance, innovation, contributions and cooperation that stakeholders can achieve safe skies for all. We look forward to an era when Nigeria’s various government security agencies at the airports would stop working in silos as if they have different employers, apart from the federal government.
Meanwhile, NCAA has also issued a directive on training to address the challenge of unqualified personnel recruitment into sensitive security roles. However, it is important for the authorities to further review and address the issue of deployment of inadequately qualified individuals into sensitive aviation security positions. These appointments often bypass necessary screening, certification, and background verification processes required by ICAO Annex 17 and national civil aviation regulations. This gap is capable of obstructing efforts towards effectiveness of synergy, cooperation and collaboration of stakeholders.AM
