NCAA Begins Framework for Pre-Loading Screening of Inbound Air Cargo
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has begun moves to introduce a system that will allow security-related information on inbound air cargo to be assessed before such shipments are loaded onto aircraft bound for Nigeria.
The Authority on Thursday, August 27, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Firstway FZE and Global Software & Digital Solution, GSDS, for the implementation of the Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information, PLACI, framework in Nigeria.
Under the arrangement, implementation will initially focus on inbound air cargo, while providing a structure for technology deployment, stakeholder onboarding and operational assessment.
The initiative is expected to strengthen aviation security by enabling relevant cargo information to be made available for risk assessment before consignments are loaded for transportation to Nigeria, rather than relying solely on checks after arrival.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s aviation security architecture and developing a safer and more internationally compliant air cargo system.
Najomo said the signing of the agreement marked the beginning of the implementation process and urged the partners to adhere to the agreed procedures as the project progresses. He added that issues requiring clarification could be brought back for further discussion during implementation.
Representatives of Firstway FZE and GSDS said the project had been under development for several months and expressed their commitment to supporting its implementation.
The NCAA’s Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mary Tufano-Eche, said the process leading to the agreement was deliberately thorough to protect the integrity of the arrangement and the interests of the Authority.
She described the initiative as a significant step for Nigeria, adding that the MoU provides a foundation that can be reviewed and amended as implementation develops.
The PLACI initiative comes amid broader efforts by the NCAA to strengthen cargo and mail security in Nigeria’s aviation sector. In December 2025, the Authority inaugurated an Air Cargo and Mail Security Review Committee to examine challenges including delays, theft and disorderliness at airport cargo terminals and recommend measures in line with international aviation security practices.
Nigeria’s aviation security regulations also provide for security controls covering cargo and regulated agents as part of measures designed to safeguard civil aviation against unlawful interference.
The new framework is expected to provide Nigerian aviation authorities with an additional layer of advance risk assessment as the country seeks to strengthen the security and integrity of its air cargo supply chain.