The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) auditors on Monday commenced the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) through Con­tinuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) for Lagos and Abuja air­ports.

A statement by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said that the USAP CMA would run for two weeks.

According to him, the audit would terminate on March 22, 2024.

The audit he emphasised would cover Inflight Security (IFS), Pas­senger and Baggage Security (PAX), Acts of Unlawful Inter­ference (AUI), Facilitation (FAL), Legislation (LEG), Training (TRG), Quality Control Function (QCF), Operations (OPS) and Cargo, Mail and Catering (CGO).

The four-man team is led by Cal­lum Vine while he named the three others as James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela and Alagie Jeng.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Develop­ment, welcomed the team of audi­tors to Nigeria for the all-important mission.

Keyamo, who was represented at the occasion by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said that the Universal Security Audit Programme repre­sented a concerted effort to uphold the highest standards of security across all facets of Nigeria’s avia­tion industry.

Keyamo assured that through rigorous assessments, comprehen­sive evaluations, and collaborative partnerships, Nigeria aimed to fortify its defences against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.

Keyamo also commended the dedication and diligence of all stakeholders, including regu­latory bodies, security agencies, service providers and aviation security personnel whose com­mitment ensured the success of Nigeria’s aviation security en­deavours, expressing hope that there will not be a significant se­curity concern.

Also Capt. Chris Najomo, the Ag. Director-General Civil Avia­tion (ADGCA), in his speech stat­ed that the objectives of the ICAO USAP CMA was to improve global aviation security (AVSEC) through auditing and the continuous mon­itoring of AVSEC performance of member states.

Other objectives outlined by Na­jomo were to assess the indicative degree of compliance of the state with Annex 9 and 17 bordering on facilitation to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and AVSEC standards and security-re­lated standards, respectively.

Najomo said that as part of the on-site auditing process, both Mur­tala Muhammed International Air­port (MMIA), Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, have been selected as airports where verification of the implementation of security measures would be carried out.

He, however, expressed opti­mism that Nigeria would surpass last rating with the progressive transformations that had taken place in the industry since the last exercise and considering the level of commitment of the current ad­ministration to ensure secure, safe and efficient air transportation in Nigeria.

He further promised to provide support and maximum coopera­tion towards ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

To ensure Nigeria excels in the exercise, which was last held in 2015, the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organi­sation (BAGASOO) conducted avi­ation security (AVSEC) mock audit in both Lagos and Abuja airports between March 4 and 7, 2024.