Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG), a regional aviation body made up of seven West African countries.
This announcement was made on Thursday through a statement by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood. The appointment took place during the fourth meeting of the BAG Council of Ministers, held in Abuja.
The Banjul Accord Group consists of ministers of transport and aviation from Nigeria, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It was established to promote sub-regional cooperation and safe, sustainable civil aviation development in line with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
At the Abuja meeting, high-level officials from all seven member countries were present, including Cabo Verde’s Minister of Transport, Dr Jose Luis Nogueira; The Gambia’s Ebrima Sillah; Ghana’s Joseph Nikpe; Guinea’s Ousmane Gaoual Diallo; Liberia’s Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, and Sierra Leone’s Fanday Turay.
As Chairman of the Council, Keyamo will lead efforts to harmonise aviation policies among member states and push forward strategic plans to improve air safety, infrastructure, and regional air connectivity.
“The appointment of Minister Keyamo is expected to usher in a renewed era of dynamism and progress for BAG member states,” the statement read.
Keyamo, in a separate statement he personally signed, said his appointment reflects the trust and recognition Nigeria enjoys within the region. He credited the development to the “bold and innovative aviation policies” introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“I sincerely thank my colleagues from the BAG member states for their confidence in me. This appointment is a reflection of the leadership direction we have taken in Nigeria’s aviation sector,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the work of his predecessor, the former Minister of Transport and Aviation of Sierra Leone, for laying the groundwork for regional collaboration.
The Abuja meeting also provided a platform for critical discussions on common air transport challenges faced by member countries, including safety concerns, the need for better aviation infrastructure, capacity building, and strengthening intra-regional flight operations.
Industry observers believe that Keyamo’s leadership could open a new chapter for West African aviation, particularly in tackling long-standing issues like poor connectivity and lack of standardised regulatory frameworks across borders.
With air transport playing a growing role in economic integration across Africa, the Council’s decisions under Keyamo’s chairmanship are expected to influence the direction of aviation policy across the sub-region.
