- President Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Impressive Aviation Safety Rating
The Nigerian aviation industry has recorded “91.4% Effective Implementation (EI) score at the just-concluded International Civil Aviation Organization Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) held between April 15 and 22, 2026.”
According to NCAA, during the closing briefing held at the Authority’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General Civil Aviation, (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, noted that “the ICVM audit is an independent platform that identifies Nigeria’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats that may impact on its statutory mandate of safety oversight responsibilities, safe aircraft operations and public safety.”
NCAA stated that “while acknowledging that the validation results will be subjected to a different validation by the Safety and Air Navigation Oversight Audit Section, Capt. Najomo expressed firm optimism that the ultimate status of the Protocol Questions (PQs) will change positively based on progress made in implementing the corrective actions, evidence collected and recommendations made.”
In the same vein the President of Nigeria, HE Bola Tinubu has “has welcomed “Nigeria’s impressive 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”. In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said : “Upon the assumption of office, President Tinubu redefined the priority areas of his administration to include enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, and to establish the air transport sector as a major driver for economic prosperity by building a safe, secured and efficient aviation industry focused on making Nigeria a hub that meets international standards and best practices beyond even the African continent.”
Mr. Onanuga pointed out that “to align with this priority area, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, outlined a five-point agenda to grow the Nigerian aviation value chain. Importantly, the first point on that agenda is to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and the continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s ICAO rating.”
The President also commends “the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for the feat, stating that the rating affirms the nation’s aviation safety standards and makes it a more attractive destination for investment in aviation infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and airline operations.”
The DGCA further appreciated “the managements of FAAN, NSIB, NiMet, NAMA, the service providers, operators and the NCAA team comprising the directors, the NCMC, focal points and team members for their diligence, commitment and cooperation.”
NCAA noted that it could be recalled that “Nigeria underwent an ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA), from August to September 2023, scoring 70% in safety rating which is considered below global safety standard.”