Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo called for stronger collaboration between aviation regulatory authorities and the judiciary to improve safety, accountability, and justice in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He made this disclosure on Thursday in Abuja,
at the 2025 NCAA Judges Conference, themed, “The Role of Judges in Sustaining Nigeria’s Adherence to Applicable International Conventions in Relation to Carriage by Air.”

Keyamo described the conference as a meeting of minds at the intersection of law, policy, and international civil aviation.

He noted that such gatherings shape how countries protect lives, resolve disputes, and maintain public confidence in air travel.

The minister also expressed his gratitude to Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun JSC; and President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, for approving the participation of distinguished justices and other members of the judiciary at the event.

He stated, “Presence, my lords, lends weight and credibility to this dialogue.”

In his keynote address, Keyamo said, “When a court interprets a provision of international conventions, it is not merely resolving a dispute, it is sending a signal to the world about how Nigeria honours its commitments under international law. That is why this engagement is so important.”

He explained that as aircraft traverse international borders daily, obligations and liabilities accompany them, as outlined in the various civil aviation treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“This means that our judges, more than most professionals, bear the task of interpreting treaties and conventions in ways that reflect both our national interest and our international obligations.

“My lords, you are therefore partners in shaping Nigeria’s reputation in the global civil aviation community. In the years since the ratification of the Montreal convention, our courts have been called upon to determine questions of jurisdiction, the measure of damages, and the limits of liability.

“Some of those judgments have clarified grey areas; others have sparked fresh debates. That is healthy for the evolution of our legal system.

“The theme of this conference, ‘Defining the Frontiers of the Montreal Convention: The View of the Nigerian Courts,’ is therefore both timely and necessary and ministry’s goal is to have a system that commands trust, from passengers, investors, and international partners, built on three pillars of safety, accountability, and justice.”