NCAA, WFP Sign MoU to Strengthen Humanitarian Air Operations in Nigeria

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing humanitarian air services and strengthening emergency response operations across Nigeria.

The agreement, signed in Abuja on March 25, 2026, establishes a strategic framework to improve the delivery of life-saving assistance, particularly to hard-to-reach and crisis-affected communities across the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Director-General of Civil Aviation of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, described the partnership as a demonstration of shared commitment to humanitarian service through stronger institutional collaboration.

Najomo highlighted the critical role aviation plays in crisis response and humanitarian logistics, noting that the Authority will deepen operational coordination, streamline regulatory support for humanitarian flights, and promote capacity-building initiatives under the new framework.

According to him, the collaboration also reinforces Nigeria’s growing position as a regional hub for humanitarian air operations in West Africa.

The Deputy Country Director of WFP in Nigeria, Edouard Thiam, said the agreement represents a major step toward strengthening cooperation between both organisations. He explained that the partnership will significantly improve their ability to deliver timely humanitarian assistance, reach vulnerable populations, and support recovery efforts more efficiently.

Also speaking, the Director of Special Duties at the NCAA, Augustina Erah, noted that humanitarian air missions in Nigeria have historically faced operational challenges, including fragmented access, delays in flight clearances, and inconsistent charges.

She stated that the newly signed MoU is expected to streamline procedures, remove operational bottlenecks, and enhance the overall effectiveness of emergency response operations.

Senior officials from both organisations were present at the signing ceremony. They included NCAA’s Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mary Tufano-Eche, Director of Airworthiness Standards, Godwin Balang, as well as WFP officials George Oguta, Dongwook Choi, Matthew Omata, and Chi Lael.

The partnership is expected to enhance coordination between aviation regulators and humanitarian agencies, enabling faster deployment of aid, improved operational efficiency, and stronger preparedness for emergencies across Nigeria and the wider West African region.