The Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) has stated that the aviation safety profile among member states has improved significantly.
The Executive Director of BAGASOO, Jailza Soraya, announced the achievements in Abuja, the nation’s capital, during the two-day BAGASOO Safety Conference 2025 themed “Consolidation on Current Gains for Enhancement of Aviation Safety,” which also marked its 15th anniversary.
Soraya stated that since its establishment in 2009, BAGASOO’s efforts to implement international safety protocols have significantly improved aviation safety in the region, increasing it from 40% to 63%.
Additionally, BAGASOO has enhanced oversight mechanisms across the member states.
She said, “this conference is an opportunity to reflect on our journey and shape the future of aviation safety in the BAG region.
“In addition to the $1 safety levy, we have also expanded BAGASOO’s mandate to include security oversight systems, a significant milestone in strengthening our aviation governance architecture,” she said.
Impactful contributions
While declaring the conference open, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended BAGASOO for its impactful contributions to aviation safety in the sub-region.
He noted that BAGASOO has evolved into a model of regional cooperation, strengthening safety oversight, regulatory harmonization, and capacity building across its Member States.
Similarly, the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Chairman, Board of Directors, BAGASOO, Captain Chris Najomo, described the milestone as a testament to the visionary leadership, dedication, and strategic partnership that have sustained the organisation through changing times.
“As we reflect on the journey so far, let us also recommit ourselves to the goals ahead, which include deepening collaboration, embracing innovation, and consolidating on gains we made for a safer, more resilient aviation sector in our region,” Najomo emphasised.
Senior International Cooperation Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa at the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Yves Koniig, highlighted EASA’s partnership with BAGASOO, noting that their participation in the conference enables them to exchange knowledge on aviation safety and share best practices.
“Over the past year, we’ have supported BAGASOO with training, regulatory guidance, and active participation in regional initiatives,” Coniig said.
Also speaking, Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Agency (CASOA) of the East African Community, Engineer Richard Gatete, noted the significance of the conference towards developing a unified regulatory framework for the entire African continent.
He further urged BAGASOO to develop a unified regulatory framework for the entire African continent and emphasized the importance of the conference as a platform for regional integration and learning.
“We are here to share our journey and to learn from BAGASOO’s progress. Eventually, we hope to consolidate these efforts under broader frameworks such as the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC),” he explained.
Gatete praised the organisers for bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent, calling the conference a “springboard for concrete action” toward more effective and harmonised African aviation systems.
The Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation is known as BAGASOO. BAGASOO aims to strengthen safety oversight and accident investigation capabilities among its member states, which include:Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone
BAGASOO was established in 2009, along with the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), to enhance aviation safety and security in the West African sub-region.
The organisation works closely with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to achieve its objectives,
Lateefah Ibrahim