Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been named the new Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG), a significant regional body focused on civil aviation in West Africa. The appointment was announced on May 22, 2025, during the group’s fourth ministerial meeting held in Abuja. Keyamo takes over the leadership from Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fandey Turay.
The Banjul Accord Group is an alliance of seven West African nations: Nigeria, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Since its establishment in 2004, BAG has worked toward fostering cooperation among member states to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable civil aviation. The group aligns its efforts with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to improve aviation across the region.
As chairman, Keyamo’s responsibilities include providing strategic leadership to the council and promoting collaboration between the member countries. His leadership role will focus on harmonizing aviation policies, enhancing air transport safety, and improving connectivity between West African states. These objectives are crucial in a region where air transport infrastructure and regulations often face challenges that hamper growth and regional integration.
At the inaugural meeting under his chairmanship, Keyamo emphasized the importance of investing in aviation infrastructure. He called on member states to prioritize funding for airports, air navigation services, and related facilities to modernize the sector. Keyamo noted that improved infrastructure would not only boost safety and efficiency but also make the region more attractive for investments in air travel and associated industries.
He also stressed the need for a collaborative approach to overcoming common obstacles in the sector. These include outdated regulations, limited technological capacity, and fragmented airspace management. By working together, BAG countries can develop standardized policies and share resources, thereby creating a more seamless and competitive aviation market.
Keyamo’s appointment highlights Nigeria’s influential role in shaping aviation policy in West Africa. As one of the largest economies and most populous countries in the region, Nigeria has the potential to lead transformative initiatives that can elevate regional air transport standards. Under Keyamo’s stewardship, it is expected that Nigeria will use this platform to drive reforms and encourage innovative solutions that benefit all member states.
The BAG council’s work also extends to enhancing regional air connectivity. Improved connectivity is vital for economic development, facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Keyamo outlined plans to promote new airline routes, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and harmonize safety and security procedures to streamline travel across member countries.
Furthermore, Keyamo underlined the importance of addressing emerging challenges such as environmental sustainability in aviation. The aviation industry worldwide is under pressure to reduce carbon emissions and adopt greener technologies. He advocated for regional cooperation on environmental policies and the adoption of best practices to ensure sustainable development in West Africa’s aviation sector.
The appointment comes at a time when West Africa’s aviation industry is poised for growth but faces hurdles including limited infrastructure investment and the need for regulatory reforms. Keyamo’s leadership could accelerate progress by fostering stronger partnerships and aligning member states’ efforts toward common goals.
Stakeholders in the aviation sector have welcomed Keyamo’s appointment. Industry experts believe his experience and focus on strategic reforms position him well to advance BAG’s objectives. They expect that his tenure will bring about enhanced safety standards, better infrastructure, and increased cooperation among member states.
In summary, Festus Keyamo’s appointment as Chairman of the Banjul Accord Group Council of Ministers marks a critical moment for civil aviation in West Africa. His leadership is set to drive policy harmonization, infrastructure development, and regional integration in aviation. With Nigeria playing a central role, the BAG under Keyamo’s guidance aims to overcome existing challenges and unlock the full potential of air transport to foster economic growth and connectivity in the region.
The future of West African aviation looks promising as member states rally behind this shared vision of a safer, more efficient, and sustainable air transport system. Keyamo’s chairmanship could well be the catalyst needed to realize that vision, making air travel more accessible and reliable for millions of people across the region.
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