The council of ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) states has appointed Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, as its chairman.
The BAG council of ministers comprises ministers of transport and aviation from seven West African member states: Nigeria, Cabo Verde, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
In a statement on Thursday, Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the minister, said Keyamo’s appointment was announced during the 4th meeting of the council, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.
“The special session was graced by the attendance of high-ranking delegates, including: Dr Jose Luis S.A. Nogueira – Minister of Transport, Cabo Verde, Hon Ebrima Sillah – Minister of Transport, The Gambia, Hon Joseph Bukari Nikpe – Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ghana,” Moshood said.
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“Others are Hon Ousmane Gaoual Diallo – Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Guinea, Hon Sirleaf Ralph Tyler – Minister of Transport, Liberia, and Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay – Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone.
“As chairman, Nigeria’s aviation minister is expected to provide strategic leadership to the council in driving regional cooperation, harmonisation of aviation policies, and the implementation of key initiatives aimed at enhancing air transport safety, efficiency, and development in the BAG region.”
Moshood said BAG member states engaged in high-level discussions on shared air transport challenges and other key issues at the meeting, noting that with Keyamo’s appointment, they expect a renewed era of dynamism and progress.
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In a special media post, Keyamo said the appointment reinforced Nigeria’s leading role in improving air travel across West Africa.
“I take over the Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers from the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Republic of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Fandey Turay,” he wrote.
In recognition of our bold and innovative policies in the Aviation sector under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, a few hours ago, I was appointed as the new Chairman the West Africa Banjul Accord Group (BAG) by the Ministers of Transport/Aviation in… pic.twitter.com/xwZxvQrWkx
— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) May 22, 2025
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The Banjul Accord Group was established to foster sub-regional cooperation and collaboration in the development of safe and sustainable civil aviation systems in West Africa, in line with ICAO standards and recommended practices.
