Speaking at an aviation security symposium held in Lagos, Air Commodore Ahmad Madawaki, representing the National Security Adviser, emphasized the urgency of reform in Nigeria’s aviation security architecture. The symposium, themed "The Fundamentality of Security in Achieving the Safe Skies Goals," brought together key industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for ensuring safer air travel.
Madawaki noted that the newly introduced screening system is designed to streamline monitoring processes at all Nigerian airports, fostering a more coordinated and efficient approach to passenger and cargo checks.
“The ONSA has directed the implementation of a one-stop joint monitoring screening system to avert clumsiness and touting in aviation operations,” he stated. “Currently, the office is also developing a comprehensive security threat assessment framework for all airports and airstrips across the country.”
The proposed framework will incorporate input from various security agencies and aviation stakeholders, reinforcing collaborative intelligence sharing and proactive threat mitigation.
Madawaki urged aviation operators to maintain heightened security awareness and work closely with one another to safeguard airport facilities and Nigeria’s airspace. He also highlighted the need for strict adherence to global aviation security standards, particularly those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other regulatory bodies.
He further stressed the importance of ongoing staff training, installation of tracking technologies, data-driven security systems, and enhanced inter-agency coordination. According to him, aviation security is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical enabler of safe and seamless air travel.
“Security services and drug law enforcement agents must also remain vigilant to ensure the safety of passengers, airports, and our skies,” Madawaki added. “Aviation security must be taken seriously because it is the backbone of safe air travel. It is also the invisible shield that makes the goal of safe skies a reality.”