The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Army have agreed to work together to bring canine units into airport security operations across the country.
The partnership was sealed on Friday at the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police headquarters in Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja. Under the new memorandum of understanding, both institutions will collaborate on the deployment, training and development of sniffer dogs for aviation security.
The NCAA said the agreement sets out clear roles. The army will handle the qualification of canine trainers and handlers. The NCAA will handle licensing and will also train its aviation security inspectors to work with the units.
Globally, canine teams are used to detect explosives and firearms and to support search operations at airports. Ben Omogo, Director of Aviation Security who represented NCAA DG Chris Najomo, said the dogs have become essential because of evolving threats to aviation.
M.O. Erebulu, Provost Marshal of the Army who represented the Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Oluyede, described the dogs as a “key force multiplier.” He noted that trained military dogs and their handlers improve the speed and accuracy of explosive detection, tracking and search missions.
NCAA Director of Corporate Services Rebecca Eyiuche called the MoU a strategic milestone. She said it will deepen institutional collaboration, encourage knowledge transfer, and help sustain aviation security standards in Nigeria long term.
Both the NCAA and the army said the deal reflects a shared commitment to protect Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure using professional practices that align with global standards.
