Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to aviation safety and security as the Nigeria International Air Show (NIA) takes bold steps to strengthen national preparedness for airport emergencies and aeromedical evacuation.
At a high-level planning session held at the Airport Manager’s Conference Room, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, critical stakeholders from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Police Force, medical experts, and referral hospitals, convened to harmonize strategies for emergency response.
The meeting, which was jointly chaired by Mrs. Brian Williams, Managing Director of the Nigeria International Air Show, and Engr. Godwin Balang, Chairman of the Emergency & Safety Sub-Committee (NIA/NCAA), featured technical presentations and tabletop simulation exercises addressing key scenarios such as mid-air bird strike and pilot ejection, aircraft engine fire with VIP onboard, mass-casualty response, security breaches, and heat-related incidents.
Mrs. Williams disclosed that the session resolved to establish a dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC), designate hospital landing sites for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) among aviation, defense, security, and medical agencies, and develop an integrated command structure with an Airport Incident Commander for the 2025 Air Show.
She further emphasized that the Air Show would showcase Nigeria’s adherence to international aviation best practices while deepening inter-agency collaboration for the safety of all participants. Williams also unveiled the introduction of Nigeria’s first Volunteer Emergency & Safety Corps, trained in Basic Life Support (BLS) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), to enhance safety measures for the over 30,000 expected delegates.
Also speaking during the session, Dr. Aina Ayodeji, Head of FAAN Medical at Abuja International Airport, affirmed that the initiative would not only safeguard participants during the Air Show but also establish a new national benchmark for airport emergency and aeromedical readiness.
She said the Nigeria International Air Show 2025 is scheduled to hold in Abuja, bringing together global aviation stakeholders to foster innovation, safety, and international cooperation in the sector.
Signed
Odutayo Oluseyi
Head, Press and Public Affair
