LAGOS — Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has strengthened its position as a technology-driven leader in Nigeria’s aviation ground-handling sector after securing the internationally recognised ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).
The achievement places SAHCO among a select group of aviation ground-handling companies globally operating with an independently certified information security management framework, and, according to the company, makes it the first aviation ground-handling company in Nigeria and one of the few in Africa to attain the certification.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard is the international benchmark for information security management. It provides organisations with a structured framework for identifying and managing information-security risks while protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of critical information and data.
For an increasingly digital aviation industry, the certification carries significant operational importance. Ground-handling companies rely on interconnected systems and sensitive information to manage cargo, customers and day-to-day operations, making robust cybersecurity essential to business continuity, operational resilience and service reliability.
SAHCO’s certification followed a rigorous audit and compliance assessment conducted by a globally accredited certification body. The company was required to demonstrate compliance with the standard’s requirements before successfully achieving certification.
According to SAHCO, the milestone reflects its strategic commitment to cyber resilience, operational excellence and world-class service delivery, while reinforcing the organisation’s ability to respond effectively to evolving cybersecurity threats.
Speaking on the achievement, Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, stressed that information security extends beyond the technology department and must be embraced throughout the organisation.
“Information security is not just an IT function; it is an organisational responsibility. Every employee plays a role in protecting our systems and customer data,” he said.
Afolabi explained that SAHCO had strengthened its security culture through structured employee training, robust policies and continuous monitoring.
“Through structured training, strict policies and continuous monitoring, we have built a proactive security culture that supports safe, secure and reliable aviation operations,” he added.
He further noted that information security is particularly critical in aviation ground handling, where disruptions to operational systems can have wider implications for business continuity and safety.
“By attaining ISO/IEC 27001:2022, SAHCO has demonstrated industry-leading capability in identifying security risks, implementing preventive controls and maintaining business continuity in the face of evolving cyber threats,” Afolabi said.
The certification covers several critical areas of SAHCO’s operations, including cargo handling, customer information management, operational systems and key corporate support services.
Achieving the certification involved extensive risk assessments, implementation of security controls, employee awareness and training programmes, incident-response planning, as well as continuous monitoring in line with international best practices.
The latest achievement adds to SAHCO’s portfolio of industry and regulatory certifications, including ISAGO, further strengthening its reputation for compliance, quality and operational excellence.
Beyond the certificate itself, the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 milestone signals SAHCO’s determination to remain ahead of emerging risks in an increasingly interconnected aviation environment.
With information security becoming an increasingly important component of aviation resilience, SAHCO’s certification sets a new benchmark for cybersecurity preparedness within Nigeria’s ground-handling industry and reinforces its ambition to operate at globally recognised standards.
