April 30, (THEWILL) – Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry to embrace a renewed mindset towards aviation safety and security, stressing that true safety goes beyond regulatory compliance and must become a shared culture.
Speaking at a high-level aviation security symposium organised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Lagos, Onyema emphasised the need for collaboration among all players in the sector, warning that no single agency or operator can secure the skies alone.
The symposium, themed “Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving the Safe-Skies Goal,” attracted key industry figures, including top officials from the Ministry of Aviation, security agencies, airline operators, and service providers.
“We don’t need to wait for the NCAA to regulate everything. They are not magicians. Safety is not just about rules—it’s about mindset,” Onyema said. “Every stakeholder must become a watchdog. We’re in a time where vigilance must be part of our daily operations.”
The Air Peace boss described the theme of the symposium as both timely and urgent, noting that aviation security is not just about protocol but the industry’s “lifeblood.”
He raised concern over the rising trend of unruly passengers in the country and urged security agencies to be proactive in curbing such incidents.
“Some passengers now take laws into their hands. It’s not something to celebrate. We must be mindful of the consequences,” he warned.
Highlighting the evolving global threats—ranging from cyberattacks to insider sabotage and terrorism—Onyema stressed the need for continuous innovation and restructuring of Nigeria’s aviation security architecture.
“No one entity can do it alone,” he said. “Airlines, airport authorities, regulators, security agencies, and private players must work in synergy.”
Onyema cited Air Peace’s commitment to security, revealing that the airline has invested heavily in advanced security technology, regular staff training, and strong institutional partnerships.
However, he warned against an overdependence on systems and checklists, stating that true security lies in daily vigilance, intelligence sharing, and consistent adherence to global best practices.
He concluded by urging participants to ensure the symposium does not end as a mere “talk shop.”
“Let us share best practices, ask tough questions, and walk away with real, actionable outcomes,” Onyema said. “Only then can we truly achieve safe skies.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
