Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon have formally signed a Bilateral Agreement on Technical Aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations, strengthening cooperation on aviation safety across their shared airspace, multiple reports confirm.

The accord was signed on Friday February 27, 2026, in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, following high-level talks between Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, and Jean Ernest NgalNgallé Bibehe, Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, according to official statements.

Keyamo, who led the Nigerian delegation that included senior officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), said the agreement will enable faster and more coordinated responses to aviation emergencies in areas near their common borders. He described the pact as a humanitarian necessity that reflects both countries’ commitment to protecting lives and enhancing regional aviation safety.

The Technical SAR Agreement establishes a framework for operational cooperation and joint emergency response protocols between the two nations’ rescue coordination centres. It will also strengthen communication channels and help unify procedures when aircraft incidents occur in or near their respective Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs).

Officials involved in the signing underscored that the cooperation aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises institutional strengthening, regional cooperation and protection of lives and property. They said the accord will bolster aviation emergency readiness and contribute to safer air travel across West and Central Africa.

The new bilateral agreement will complement ongoing multilateral efforts under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards to improve air safety and search and rescue collaboration among neighbouring states.