Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, Emerges Chairman of West Africa’s Banjul Accord Council

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has been appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers for the Banjul Accord Group (BAG), a strategic aviation bloc comprising seven West African countries.

The announcement was made public on Thursday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, following the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the BAG Council of Ministers held in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

The high-level gathering drew the presence of transport and aviation ministers, as well as senior delegates from Nigeria, The Gambia, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone — all member states of the regional aviation alliance.

Keyamo’s emergence as chairman signals a new chapter for the group, as he is expected to steer the BAG Council’s policy direction, promote regional integration, harmonize aviation regulations, and drive joint initiatives to improve air transport safety, operational efficiency, and infrastructure development within the West African sub-region.

Speaking shortly after his appointment, Keyamo attributed the recognition to what he described as the “bold, reform-driven aviation policies” being championed under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also extended appreciation to the outgoing chairman, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, for what he called “dedicated service and groundwork.”

Formed to foster sub-regional partnership and uphold International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, the Banjul Accord Group provides a platform for collaboration on sustainable civil aviation practices among West African nations.

The Abuja meeting also addressed pressing issues affecting member states, including challenges in air traffic management, aviation security, capacity building, infrastructure gaps, and ways to strengthen regional air connectivity.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that Keyamo’s tenure as council chairman would infuse fresh momentum into the BAG’s ongoing programmes and position the sub-region’s aviation sector for greater growth and integration.