Festus Keyamo Appointed Chairman of Banjul Accord Group Ministers

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has been appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) States. The announcement was made during the 4th Meeting of the BAG Council of Ministers, held on Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

The Banjul Accord Group is a sub-regional body comprising the ministers of aviation and transport from seven West African countries: Nigeria, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The group was established to foster cooperation and coordination in the development of safe, secure, and sustainable civil aviation systems in line with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The Abuja meeting brought together several high-level dignitaries, including Dr. Jose Luis S.A. Nogueira (Cabo Verde), Hon. Ebrima Sillah (The Gambia), Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe (Ghana), Hon. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo (Guinea), Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler (Liberia), and Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay (Sierra Leone).

In his new role as chairman, Keyamo is expected to steer the council toward deeper regional integration through harmonized aviation policies, enhanced safety oversight, and improved connectivity across member states. His leadership is widely regarded as a critical boost for advancing the BAG’s strategic goals.

Key issues discussed at the meeting included regional infrastructure development, capacity building, regulatory alignment, and expanding air routes to improve interconnectivity in West Africa.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the Minister expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in him by his counterparts. He pledged to work collaboratively with member states to strengthen aviation partnerships and drive progress across the region.

The Banjul Accord Group continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of air transport in West Africa, and Keyamo’s appointment is expected to mark a new chapter of dynamism and innovation in the region’s aviation landscape.