The Federal Government is advancing efforts to promote more environmentally sustainable firefighting practices at Nigerian airports through a technical mission under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) Project.
The three-day technical mission, taking place from September 7 to 9, 2026, is being hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other relevant stakeholders.
The mission covers the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, and is focused on supporting Nigeria’s transition from conventional fluorinated firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to safer, 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 — and is designed to support participating countries in reducing and eliminating uncontrolled releases of PFAS associated with airport firefighting activities.
Running from 2025 to 2030, the project has an overall value of approximately US$82.5 million, comprising a US$10 million GEF grant and about US$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 approximately 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated materials from firefighting vehicles and related systems, as well as the safe disposal of about 130 tonnes of PFAS-based firefighting foam concentrate.
During the mission, ICAO and UNEP experts will engage with 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 assessment will include the suitability of fluorine-free foams for aircraft rescue and firefighting operations, their compatibility with existing firefighting vehicles, tanks, pumps and foam-delivery systems, as well as the need for equipment decontamination or replacement.
The mission will further consider the environmentally sound disposal of existing foam stocks and contaminated materials, personnel training, and the development of an appropriate regulatory and implementation framework.
The transition will be carefully managed to ensure that Nigerian airports continue to maintain the required level of aircraft rescue and firefighting capability throughout the process.
For the NCAA, the FIRE Project presents an opportunity to strengthen the regulatory framework governing 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 efforts to promote environmental sustainability, responsible chemical management, occupational safety and the modernisation of critical airport infrastructure.
At the conclusion of the mission, Nigeria is expected to have a clearer assessment of its current PFAS and firefighting-foam situation, including infrastructure and equipment requirements, regulatory considerations, training and capacity-building needs, environmental management measures and the practical steps required for a phased transition to fluorine-free alternatives.
Through the initiative, Nigeria is positioning itself to adopt internationally recognised environmental practices while maintaining the safety, effectiveness and operational readiness of aircraft rescue and firefighting services as a priority.
Discussion0