Tag: NCAA

 The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all domestic airlines operating in Nigeria to include a mandatory special needs/assistance request feature on their ticket reservation systems.

The directive, according to the NCAA, is to ensure full compliance with provisions for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) and passengers with disabilities.

The agency, while stating that airlines are to comply within seven days of receipt of the directive, warned that non-compliance may attract regulatory enforcement in line with applicable aviation regulations.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, Michael Achimugu, on behalf of the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo.

The statement reads, “The Authority recalls its earlier correspondence with reference No. NCAA/CPD/585/1/22 dated 13 April 2022, which directed all domestic airlines to conspicuously place on their online ticket reservation platforms a mandatory field, box, or column through which passengers may request assistance or give advance notice of special needs before ticket purchase.

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“This requirement is further reinforced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, Part 19.12.3.1, which mandates that during reservation, airlines, travel agents, and tour operators shall provide travellers the opportunity to request assistance at the point of booking across all ticket sales channels, including online platforms and telephone reservations;

“Mandatorily include on ticket portals a designated field or column through which persons with disabilities or their assistants may request special needs assistance while booking or purchasing flight tickets; and

“Actively enquire whether any passenger within a booking party may require assistance at the airport and/or during flight operations”.

The statement added, “In view of the foregoing, the NCAA has directed all affected airlines to conspicuously integrate a mandatory special needs assistance request option into their ticket reservation systems, ensuring that passengers are able to request such assistance before completing the ticket purchase process.

“Airlines are required to comply within seven days of receipt of this directive. Non-compliance may attract regulatory enforcement in line with applicable aviation regulations.”

The Agency pledged its commitment to ensuring inclusive, accessible, and safe air travel for all passengers.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has certified the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, with the issuance of aerodrome certificates, in a move aimed at strengthening aviation safety and regulatory compliance in Nigeria.

Speaking during the ceremony on Friday in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, noted that the aerodrome certification was the result of months of inspections, audits, and engagements, including the development, exchange, and implementation of corrective action plans designed to meet prescribed standards and recommended practices.

 Kuku described the certification as a major accomplishment that reflects institutional discipline, operational excellence, and effective collaboration between the regulator and airport operator.

Representing FAAN’s Board, management and workforce, Mrs. Kuku expressed gratitude to the NCAA, led by its Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, for conducting what she described as a transparent, technically thorough and professionally managed exercise.

According to her, the NCAA played a vital role throughout the process, not only in its regulatory capacity but also by providing technical guidance, clarity, and consistent oversight.

She stated that airport teams in Kano and Port Harcourt, with support from FAAN headquarters, demonstrated strong commitment and professionalism in addressing regulatory observations and implementing necessary improvements.

She added that the achievement highlights the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening aviation safety and infrastructure development.

“The success we are celebrating today is a shared one. It shows what can be achieved when the regulator and operator work in synergy, guided by a common objective of safety, compliance, and national interest,” she said.

While receiving the certificates, the FAAN boss acknowledged the NCAA’s observations on outstanding issues within the corrective action framework and assured the regulator of FAAN’s full commitment to resolving them comprehensively. She disclosed that specialised teams had been deployed to ensure the timely completion of all pending actions, stressing that certification is an ongoing process of continuous improvement.

Mrs. Kuku further stated that certifying the two airports would enhance confidence among airlines and passengers, improve operational reliability, and strengthen Nigeria’s reputation in the global aviation community.

Furthermore, she noted that the development sends a clear signal that Nigerian airports are operated in line with internationally accepted safety and operational benchmarks, reinforcing the country’s standing as a responsible aviation hub.

Mrs. Kuku, however, commended the NCAA leadership and technical teams for their professionalism and dedication, describing their role as central to the success of the certification exercise. She also praised FAAN staff across operations, engineering, fire-fighting, security, air traffic services, and maintenance for their collective efforts.

In his remarks, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Engr. Godwin Balang disclosed that some of the newly certified aerodromes had never previously undergone formal certification.

According to Balang, the certification of Kano airport is particularly significant as it coincides with the centenary celebration of the city, describing it as a historic milestone for both Kano State and Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He explained that the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards is mandated to ensure that all aerodromes in Nigeria meet the technical, operational, and safety requirements stipulated in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) Part 12, Volume I, supported by guidance from NCAA Advisory Circular NCAA-AC-ARDO02.

Balang outlined the multi-phase certification process, which begins with the submission of an expression of interest by the aerodrome operator, followed by assessment of the formal application, detailed inspection of facilities and equipment, and the eventual grant or refusal of certification.

He added that once certification is granted, the status of the aerodrome is published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

He disclosed that NCAA inspectors carried out multiple inspections and validated corrective actions over time until most of the identified deficiencies were addressed.

“I therefore wish to reiterate that certification is not a terminal point; it is the beginning of a regulated cycle of compliance,” Balang said.

He stressed that in line with Nig.CARs Part 12, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is required to maintain the serviceability of critical infrastructure such as runways, taxiways and aprons, ensure proper functioning of visual aids and electrical systems, keep aerodrome manuals up to date, notify the Authority of any safety-related developments, sustain an effective Safety Management System, and ensure the competence of technical and operational personnel.

Balang noted that the NCAA, through the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, will continue to discharge its oversight responsibilities via periodic inspections, audits, data validation, and enforcement actions where necessary.

He further revealed that the Authority is reviewing its oversight approach to make it more risk-based and data-driven in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s State Safety Programme. According to him, inspectors are undergoing continuous training while technology is being deployed to strengthen surveillance and safety assurance.

The DAAS director added that beyond international airports, domestic aerodromes are also being processed to obtain the required permits in line with Nig.CARs Part 12, Volume I, 2023. He warned that the effective date for the suspension of operations at airports without the appropriate permits remains January 1, 2026.

Balang, therefore, urged FAAN and other aerodrome operators nationwide to engage the NCAA for guidance and compliance ahead of the deadline.

He commended the Managing Director of FAAN and her team for their cooperation throughout the certification process, noting that their prompt response to corrective action notices and the improvements recorded at both airports reflect a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and operational safety.

He also praised the certification teams at the two airports, the certification manager, the General Manager of Aerodrome Standards, and the staff of the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards for their collective contributions to the success of the exercise.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has urged for more support from the Judiciary in efforts to deepen the understanding of laws governing contractual dealings in the nation’s aviation sector, particularly the Cape Town Convention (CTC).

The CTC comprises the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment 2001 and the Protocol to the Convention on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment.

Najomo spoke at the grand finale of the international CTC moot court, held at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday evening under the auspices of the CTC Academic Project.

The DG of NCAA, who was represented by the Director, Operations, Licensing and Training, NCAA, Captain Donald Tonye Spiff, said the CTC “has actually put Nigeria in a better perspective to aircraft lessors and general aviation business in Nigeria.”

The well-attended event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Aerospace Development, and the NCAA, with support from the Aviation Working Group (AWG).

Najomo said the purpose of the programme is to familiarize students, academics, and judges with the CTC in the context of complex hypothetical fact patterns, and provide students with educational exercises involving these instruments (CTC) in a simulated judicial setting.

He noted that before now, most airline manufacturing or leasing companies did not want to conduct business in Nigeria, adding that with the CTC, assurances have been given.

Najomo added, “Through the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, we are now in the good books of these organisations.

“And, this is an enlightenment programme to tell the world that we have arrived and we are ready to do business,” he said.

The DG, NCAA, hailed the performance of the students, who participated in the programme, and commended them for their display of brilliance and commitment, noting that it shows the country’s capacity in every sector.

The Secretary General of the AWG and Co-Director of the CTC Academic Project, Jeffrey Wool, said he was thrilled by the first Nigerian international CTC moot court.

Wool said the CTC is a very important international treaty, ratified by Nigeria, adding that the moot court “is a way to introduce students and the legal system to this all-important treaty” and further familiarise the court with the provisions of the treaty.

He said the CTC is very important economically to the country, and noted that the Federal High Court recently out in place a practice direction on how to address CTC-related cases.

The event featured the simulation of a real court experience, involving two opposing legal teams made up of Law students drawn from the University of Benin and the University of Lagos.

The moot court was held under the supervision of a three-member panel of judges of the Federal High Court, Abuja – Justices Binta Nyako (who presided), Joyce Abdulmalik, and James Omotosho.

Osauyi Temiloluwa Agbonwaneten (the lead counsel in the University of Benin’s team) came first in the area of advocacy, and Adedayo Michael (the lead counsel in the University of Lagos’ team) came second.

Falodun Daniel (of the University of Lagos) came third, while Bawi Toluwaleyi Testimony (of the University of Benin) came fourth.

The Nigerian moot court competition saw 18 universities, drawn from all the nation’s six geopolitical zones, participating in the preliminary round.

The University of Benin and the University of Lagos, which competed at the final held on November 12, emerged as the two overall best from the preliminary round.

The Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has urged for more support from the Judiciary in efforts to deepen the understanding of laws governing contractual dealings in the nation’s aviation sector, particularly the Cape Town Convention (CTC).

The CTC comprises of the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment 2001 and the Protocol to the Convention on Matters Specific Aircraft Equipment.

Najomo spoke at the grand finale of the international CTC moot court, held at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday evening under the auspices of the CTC Academic Project.

The DGCA of NCAA, who was represented by the Director, Operations, Licensing and Training, NCAA, Captain Donald Tonye Spiff, said the CTC “has actually put Nigeria in a better perspective to aircraft lessors and general aviation business in Nigeria.”

The well-attended event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, and Aerospace Development, and the NCAA, with support from the Aviation Working Group (AWG).

Najomo said the purpose of the programme is to familiarize students, academics and judges with the CTC in the context of complex hypothetical fact patterns, and provide students with educational exercises involving these instruments (CTC) in a simulated judicial setting.

He noted that before now, most airline manufacturing or leasing companies did not want to conduct business in Nigeria, adding that with the CTC, assurances have been given.

Najomo added: “Through the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Aviationand Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, we are now in the good books of these organisations.

“And, this is an enlightenment programme to tell the world that we have arrived and we are ready to do business,” he said.

The DGCA, NCAA hailed the performance of the students, who participated in the programme and commended them for their display of brilliance and commitment, noting that it shows the country’s capacity in every sector.

The Secretary General of the AWG and Co-Director of the CTC Academic Project, Jeffrey Wool, said he was thrilled by the first Nigerian international CTC moot court.

Wool said the CTC is a very important international treaty, ratified by Nigeria, adding that the moot court “is a way to introduce students and the legal system to this all important treaty” and further familiarise the court with the provisions of the treaty.

He said the CTC is very important economically to the country, and noted that the Federal High Court recently out in place a practice direction on how to address CTC related cases. 

The event featured the simulation of a real court experience, involving two opposing legal teams made up of Law students drawn from the University of Benin and the University of Lagos.

The moot court was held under the supervision a three-member panel of judges of the Federal High Court, Abuja – Justices Binta Nyako (who presided), Joyce Abdulmalik and James Omotosho.

Osauyi Temiloluwa Agbonwaneten the lead counsel in the University of Benin’s team) came first in the area of advocacy, Adedayo Michael (the lead counsel in the University of Lagos’ team) came second.

Falotan (of the University of Lagos) came third, while Bawi Toluwaleyi Testimony came fourth.

The Nigerian moot court competition saw 18 universities, drawn from all the nation’s six geopolitical zones, participating in the preliminary round.

The University of Benin and University of Lagos, which competed at the final held on November 12, emerged as the two overall best from the preliminary round.

The Arco Aviation Academy has called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to stop uncertified pilots from indiscriminately flying drones in the country.

ARCO, which is the first NCAA certified academy with the mandate of training drone operators in the country, said if not regulated, indiscriminate flying of drones posed a great danger to the airspace and its users.

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Speaking at the weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the graduation of 12 students, who were trained and certified as Visual Line of Sight Pilots (VLOS) at the academy, the institute’s Chief Instructor, Samuel Sunday, appealed to NCAA to ensure only qualified and certified individuals were allowed to enter the airspace as drone pilots.

He said lack of strict adherence to the rules governing flying of drones could result in interference with aeroplanes, helicopters and other airspace users and risk the lives of passengers.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the commencement of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.

The development followed the expiration of the airport’s initial non-scheduled flight permit in December 2024 and the successful fulfillment of regulatory requirements.

The approval was disclosed in a letter dated October 3, 2025, addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and signed by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engineer Godwin Balang.

According to the letter with reference number NCAA/DAAS/TECH//043/Vol. 1/158, the new approval for scheduled commercial flights, which takes effect from October 2, 2025, is valid for an initial period of six months.

It added that the agency conducted a validation inspection of the airport between June 16 and 19, 2025, which confirmed that the facility had met the essential operational requirements for scheduled flight services.

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The letter reads, “The outcome revealed that the basic operational requirements for scheduled flight operations to Ado-Ekiti Airport have been significantly complied with, and the instrument flight check validation report conducted by NAMA indicates satisfactory compliance with regulatory requirements.

“In view of the above and in line with the provisions of Nig CARs Part 12 Vol. 1, 2023, I have been directed to convey the Authority’s Interim Operational Permit subject to the limitations of VFR or daylight (sunrise to sunset) operations.

“Furthermore, Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note that this interim Operational Permit is to enable Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to implement outstanding gaps and commence the certification process, which will allow for issuance of Aerodrome Operational Permit with a three-year validity in accordance with the Nig.CARS Part 12 Vol.1.

Reacting to the development, Governor Oyebanji, in a statement on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the approval as a major boost to the economic growth of Ekiti State, noting that commercial flight operations would enhance agribusiness, tourism, commerce, and medical tourism in the state.

“This is another bold step in our quest to make Ekiti a preferred destination for people looking for where to live, work, invest, and relax,” the Governor said.

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for subnational growth, and also appreciated his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for initiating the airport project in 2019.

The governor equally acknowledged the invaluable contributions of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), as well as the Airport Implementation Committee, for their roles in making the project a reality.

He disclosed that it is at an advanced stage of installing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) to enable the airport to operate safely at night and under all weather conditions.