Air Peace urges unified aviation security strategy
The Chairman of Air Peace Airline Limited, Dr Allen Onyema, has called for a coordinated national aviation security framework, describing it as Nigeria’s most vital defence against escalating threats.
He delivered this message to a full audience at the Symposium on the Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving the Safe-Skies Goal, held in Abuja.
Presiding over the session, Dr Onyema made it clear that aviation security is no longer a ceremonial exercise, but rather the core of the industry, especially as global challenges such as cyberattacks, insider threats and terrorism continue to evolve.
He maintained that Nigeria’s aviation security architecture must be routinely re-evaluated and strengthened. He warned against any sense of complacency, stressing that international aviation systems are facing constant testing, and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind.
Reflecting on the theme of the symposium, Dr Onyema remarked on its relevance and urgency. He argued that achieving truly safe airspace requires more than just infrastructure upgrades or routine inspections.
“There must be synergy,” he said. “No single agency, airline or airport authority can shoulder this responsibility alone.” He called for long-term cooperation among regulators, intelligence bodies and private sector stakeholders.
As an example, he pointed to Air Peace’s internal security framework, which he described as a functioning model. The airline, he said, has invested heavily in surveillance technology, ongoing staff training and established partnerships with security services. These efforts, according to him, reflect a broader culture of safety embedded at every level of the organisation.
Nonetheless, he cautioned against overreliance on equipment and protocols alone. “Security is a mindset,” he said. “It has to be ingrained. Compliance, intelligence sharing and readiness must become habitual.”
Dr Onyema urged participants not to let the event pass without concrete outcomes. “We cannot afford for this to become just another talk shop,” he said. “We must exchange practical solutions, pose difficult questions and most importantly, commit to outcomes that can be measured and tracked.”
His remarks struck a balance between urgency and hope, reiterating Air Peace’s commitment to working collaboratively across the sector and continuing to invest in innovation and security. “Our passengers deserve nothing less,” he said. “Our future as an aviation nation depends on it.”
He insisted that this unified security approach must be incorporated into national aviation policy and consistently applied across the industry. He also called on government bodies to streamline inter-agency cooperation and dismantle bureaucratic hurdles that slow progress.
Taken as a whole, Dr Onyema’s message served as both a challenge and a roadmap for the aviation industry. He pushed stakeholders to move beyond conversation and establish a culture where security is not a reaction but a fundamental expectation.
For Nigeria to genuinely safeguard its airspace, he said, vigilance must be ongoing and ingrained. As the country works to position itself as a regional aviation hub, its credibility in air safety, he warned, will remain under close scrutiny.
His closing remarks delivered a direct appeal: the protection of Nigeria’s skies must be pursued not just through statements but through shared, continuous effort.
