Department of Aviation Security (AVSEC)

 The NCAA established the Department of Aviation Security (AVSEC) to meet the requirements established by the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization-  ICAO Annex 17 and other Annexes related to aviation security   such as  Annex 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 18.

The Department of Aviation security (AVSEC) is one of the Departments under the office of teh Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Functions & Responsibilities

The Department is saddled with the responsibilities of security oversight of the aircraft, and aircraft operating environment. Its prime outputs include:

1. Ensuring that aerodromes and airspace in Nigeria are secure in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
2. Developing and maintaining the National Civil Aviation Security Programme of Nigeria;
3. Defining and coordinating the tasks for the implementation of the various aspects of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme between agencies, airport operators, aircraft operators and others allied services(Inflight Catering Operators, Ground Handling and Cargo operators, Fuel Farms, AVSEC service providers, etc;
4. Making available to airport operators, aircraft operators and others concerned, in its territory, a written version of the appropriate parts of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme;
5. Reviewing and maintaining the effectiveness of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, including re-evaluating security measures and procedures, as required by changing circumstances, or following an Act of Unlawful Interference, and taking action necessary to remedy weaknesses so as to prevent recurrence;
6. Reviewing and approving airport and aircraft operator security programmes, Security Service providers and other stake holders to ensure programme adequacy and monitoring their implementation to ensure continuing effectiveness;
7. Ensuring that airport security services at international and domestic airports are provided with the necessary supporting facilities including office space, telecommunications equipment, and appropriate security equipment and training facilities;
8. Developing and issuing comprehensive national regulations and directives relating to civil aviation security;
9. Developing, implementing and maintaining a National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme, through the establishment of training standards, and by approving aviation security training programmes of individual agencies and organizations;
10. Set standards, coordinate the assessment and ensure Certification of Aviation Security Screeners in Nigeria in accordance with ICAO and Nig.CAR.
11. Promoting aviation security through the development and implementation of a National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme, which would encompass security surveys, inspections, testing, exercises and audit monitoring of standards and operating procedures of aerodrome operators, aircraft operators and other service providers;
12. Collecting and disseminating information on threats of Unlawful Interference to Civil Aviation to the appropriate authorities; making such information available to other regional States and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
13. Monitor intelligence and information relative to the short and long-term threat to civil aviation in Nigeria, recommending and/or making adjustments to the requirements of the Programme to ensure that countermeasures contained therein at all times reflect that current threat level;
14. Assess prevalent Security techniques and measures at Airports/stakeholders and Identify Aviation Security trends for the purpose of International and National Aviation development
15. Evaluate Aviation Security incident/breaches and review and recommend appropriate Aviation Security technology and or sanction in conjunction with NCAA legal department
16. Coordinate the security aspect of Facilitation and manage Aviation Security Database in Nigeria
17. Disseminate and monitor compliance to International/National security directives and information relating to Airports, Aircraft operators, Cargo and dangerous goods handlers as well as coordinate inspections of cargo security and dangerous goods for Airports, Airlines and Cargo handling companies.
18. Monitor changes to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices in the Annexes to the Chicago Convention and the requirements of other States with which Nigeria has direct aviation links, recommending and/or making adjustments to the national programme to ensure that countermeasures contained therein at all times, reflect the international requirements;
19. Establish and promulgate “standards” for security of civil aviation, to cause these standards to be applied by aircraft and aerodrome operators, air traffic  services provider,  providers of aviation security services, air cargo agents and other stake holders of the aviation industry as the circumstances may from time to time require;
20. Control the activities of aviation security services providers(FAAN Security, Private Security Companies etc;
21. Consider proposed aircraft operator, aerodrome operator and other stake holders security programmes required under the Regulations for approval, amendment, or extension;
22. Monitor implementation of approved programmes and standards, and to advise the Authority on its aviation security audit and monitoring programme;
23. Investigate and review civil aviation security related accidents and incidents;
24. Maintain and review programme of contingency plans for dealing with security related emergencies;
25. Provide aviation security information and advice to the Authority, and other relevant stakeholders;
26. Carry out vulnerability assessment of international and domestic airport security systems to confirm that the aviation security activities of aerodrome operator, aircraft operator, security services providers and Government agencies involved are coordinated and mutually supportive; and
27. Conduct an assessment of all airports where Nigeria registered airlines operate scheduled flights in order to:

1. ensure standardization and compliance with ICAO SARPs;
2. verify the effective implementation of security measures; and
3. safe operations of Nigerian registered aircraft;