By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other stakeholders, is hosting a technical mission under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) Project.
The three-day mission, holding from September 7 to 9, 2026, is taking place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
The initiative is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s aviation sector in transitioning from conventional fluorinated firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to safer and more environmentally sustainable fluorine-free alternatives.
The FIRE Project is implemented by UNEP and executed by ICAO, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It covers five African countries — Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
PFAS are highly persistent chemicals commonly described as “forever chemicals” because they do not readily break down in the environment. Some PFAS historically used in firefighting foams have been subjected to international controls due to concerns about their potential effects on human health and the environment.
The project, which runs from 2025 to 2030, has an overall value of about $82.5 million, comprising a $10 million GEF grant and approximately $72.5 million in co-financing from participating partners.
At the broader programme level, the initiative is expected to support the environmentally sound management and removal of about 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated materials from firefighting vehicles and associated systems, as well as the safe disposal of approximately 130 tonnes of PFAS-based firefighting foam concentrate.
During the mission, ICAO and UNEP experts are engaging the NCAA, FAAN, environmental authorities, airport rescue and firefighting personnel and other stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s existing arrangements for the procurement, storage, use, handling and disposal of firefighting foams.
The experts will also assess aircraft rescue and firefighting infrastructure and equipment, identify potential environmental and occupational risks associated with PFAS, and determine the technical, regulatory and capacity-building requirements for Nigeria’s transition to fluorine-free alternatives.
Key areas of focus include the suitability of fluorine-free firefighting foams for aircraft rescue and firefighting operations, their compatibility with existing vehicles, tanks, pumps and foam-delivery systems, and the decontamination or replacement of affected equipment.
The mission will further examine the environmentally sound disposal of existing foam stocks and contaminated materials, personnel training, as well as the development of an appropriate regulatory and implementation framework.
The NCAA said environmental sustainability would not be pursued at the expense of aviation safety, stressing that the transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam would be carefully managed.
The process is expected to ensure that airports continue to maintain the required level of aircraft rescue and firefighting capability throughout the transition.
For the aviation regulator, the FIRE Project presents an opportunity to strengthen the regulatory framework for airport rescue and firefighting services while ensuring continued compliance by aerodrome operators with applicable national and international safety requirements.
The initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability, responsible chemical management, occupational safety and the modernization of critical airport infrastructure.
At the end of the mission, Nigeria is expected to have a clearer assessment of its PFAS and firefighting-foam situation, including infrastructure and equipment requirements, regulatory considerations, training and capacity-building needs, environmental management requirements and measures required for a phased transition to fluorine-free alternatives.
The findings are expected to form the basis for developing a structured national roadmap for the safe and sustainable transition from PFAS-containing firefighting foams to fluorine-free alternatives at Nigerian airports.
Lessons from the participating airports could also support the wider implementation of safer and environmentally responsible firefighting practices across Nigeria’s airport system.
Nigeria’s participation in the ICAO/UNEP FIRE Project therefore brings together aviation safety, environmental sustainability, occupational health and responsible infrastructure development, while demonstrating the country’s commitment to internationally recognized environmental practices without compromising the safety, effectiveness and operational readiness of aircraft rescue and firefighting services.
