The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the provision and coordination of Search and Rescue (SAR) services, a critical component of aviation safety and emergency response management.
A statement on Tuesday noted that Director-General of NCAA, Chris Najomo, signed on behalf of the Nigerian government, and the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Stephen Arthur, signed on behalf of the Ghanaian government.
According to the statement, the move aligns with Annex 12 of the Chicago Convention, which requires International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member states to establish effective SAR services and cooperate with neighbors.
Speaking, Najomo said the Memorandum of Understanding would strengthen both countries’ search and rescue framework and deepen operational collaboration.
“The MoU strengthens both countries’ collective aeronautical search and rescue architecture and deepens operational cooperation between the two sister states,” he said.
Najomo explained that cooperation on search and rescue operations goes beyond regulatory requirements and reflects a shared humanitarian duty among countries involved in international aviation.
“Search and rescue operations for aircraft in distress are not merely a regulatory requirement under ICAO Annex 12 but a fundamental humanitarian obligation and a moral responsibility shared by all states that participate in international civil aviation,” he further noted.
Najomo emphasized that swift response during emergencies remains critical to saving lives, stressing that collaboration between neighbouring states plays a crucial role during such incidents.
According to him, when aircraft are in distress, time becomes the most critical factor in saving lives, and effective cooperation between neighbouring states becomes indispensable.
The NCAA boss also said the initiative aligns with the aviation development agenda of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, which prioritises stronger safety oversight and deeper regional collaboration across Africa’s aviation sector.
Najomo explained that the agreement establishes clear procedures for cooperation between both countries during emergencies.
He said, “The agreement also operationalises key provisions of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices by establishing clear procedures for alert notification, coordination between Rescue Coordination Centres, mutual assistance, and collaborative response during search and rescue operations within our respective Search and Rescue Regions.”
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He added that the framework would strengthen rapid response and cross-border coordination during aviation emergencies.
Najomo said, “Through this framework, Nigeria and Ghana are strengthening mechanisms for rapid response, seamless cross-border coordination, and effective emergency preparedness, ensuring that aircraft and persons in distress within our region can benefit from timely and coordinated rescue efforts.”
From a regulatory perspective, he said the agreement further reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to meeting international aviation safety obligations.
He added, “From a regulatory standpoint, this agreement further reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its international aviation safety obligations while strengthening our national safety management ecosystem.”
Najomo added that the development would also enhance Nigeria’s preparedness under the International Civil Aviation Organisation audit programme.
He said, “It also contributes positively to our preparedness under the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach, particularly in areas related to emergency response planning and state safety oversight.”
