Aviation Minister admits Anosike, others into National Executive Safety Council

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, oversaw the inauguration of key stakeholders into the National Executive Safety Council (NESC) on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, marking a significant step in compliance with international aviation standards outlined in the ICAO annex 19.

Among those inaugurated was Professor Charles Anosike, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), alongside other prominent figures from the aviation sector. 

The Minister highlighted the importance of the NESC’s role in ensuring the relevance and appropriateness of Nigeria’s State Safety Program (SSP), emphasising the council’s responsibility to meet quarterly or as emergencies demand.

The NESC’s Terms of Reference, as outlined by the Minister, encompass a wide range of responsibilities aimed at enhancing safety performance within the aviation industry. 

These include endorsing priorities, allocating resources based on risk assessment, providing strategic direction to the Safety Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC), and monitoring safety performance against national objectives.

Key functions of the NESC include assessing aggregate risk within the aviation industry, identifying emerging safety risks, monitoring the effectiveness of safety oversight, and approving major policies and interpretation changes.

Additionally, the council will handle escalated issues identified by the SIAC and ensure the effectiveness of safety management processes across relevant organisations.

The NESC comprises key stakeholders such as the Director of Air Safety Administration, NSIB Director General, heads of FAAN, NAMA, NCAT, NCAA, representative of Nigeria Air Force (NAF), and technical advisors, reflecting a collaborative effort to prioritise aviation safety. 

The SSP Coordinator will serve as the National Executive Safety Committee Secretary, further ensuring coordination and efficiency within the council.

The inauguration ceremony signals a proactive approach by Nigerian authorities to enhance aviation safety standards, aligning with international best practices and fostering a culture of safety within the aviation sector.