Tag: NCAA

The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Najomo, has   stressed the importance a well-structured procurement system, saying it could attract investment, enhances service delivery, and maximises government revenue.

He emphasised the need for transparency, efficiency, and accountability in procurement to drive optimal performance in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Speaking at a symposium in Lagos for NCAA personnel on  procurement processes in line with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) guidelines and international best practices, he  underscored the crucial role  due process plays  in achieving national economic objectives.

With the theme: ‘Procurement Process for Optimum Organizational Performance’, Captain Najomo represented by the Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, linked procurement reforms to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic prosperity, infrastructural development, and good governance.

He also highlighted the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s 5-Point Agenda, which sets a roadmap for sectoral transformation, including optimizing revenue generation for the Federal Government.

According to him, achieving these goals requires procurement practices that eliminate waste, curb corruption, and ensure value for money, leading to improved service delivery and national revenue growth.

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He said :” Procurement plays a decisive role in the aviation industry, impacting airport infrastructure, air navigation services, safety regulations, and operational efficiency.”

He called for a system that enforces strict compliance with due process, encourages fair competition, ensures cost-effective contracts, and strengthens public-private partnerships.

Beyond national regulations, the NCAA boss emphasized the importance of aligning procurement processes with global best practices set by international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the World Bank.

He listed the key strategies put in place to drive to the process to  include : e-procurement and digitalization to minimize human interference, sustainable and green procurement to prioritize environmental considerations, risk-based planning to mitigate procurement risks, and stakeholder engagement to improve decision-making.

To fully support the Renewed Hope Agenda and the 5-Point Agenda, Captain Najomo called for enhanced capacity building, increased use of technology, and stronger inter-agency collaboration with the BPP, anti-corruption agencies, and development partners.

He also emphasized the need for strict monitoring and compliance mechanisms to ensure procurement integrity.

He reaffirmed NCAA’s commitment to fostering a procurement system that is transparent, efficient, and aligned with global best practices.

He urged all stakeholders in the aviation sector to work collectively towards a procurement framework that serves as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and national development.

He emphasized the critical role of transparent procurement processes in achieving organizational and national goals.

He stated that procurement practices must eliminate waste, curb corruption, and ensure value for money to increase government revenue and improve service delivery.

Najomo stated : “Public procurement is at the core of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility. In the aviation sector, procurement decisions affect airport infrastructure, air navigation services, safety regulations, and operational efficiency. If done right, procurement can attract investment, enhance aviation service delivery, and maximize revenue for the nation.”

He continued : “The industry must embrace a procurement system that reduces financial leakages through strict compliance with due process. It should encourage competition, attract credible investors, and ensure cost-effective contracts that maximize public funds for aviation development.

“Strengthening public-private partnerships will also drive efficiency and boost revenue generation.”

He reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to transparent procurement processes to promote efficiency, prevent financial mismanagement.

NCAA’s Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Rebecca Aghadinazub in her opening remarks, highlighted the need for internal capacity building and a better understanding of procurement roles within the NCAA.

She stressed the importance of implementing the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

She noted that procurement delays often result from poor understanding of BPP – Approved procedures by user departments.

She also stated that the Procurement Department faces criticism for delays and alleged procurement of inferior goods, despite the fact that user departments certify the goods.

Dr. Aghadinazu emphasized the need to educate all departments on their roles in the procurement cycle to achieve optimum results.

“It is important to note that procured goods, works, and services form a significant portion of any organization’s expenditure. To ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money, all staff members must acquire relevant skills through proper awareness and sensitization,” she stated.

Experts in the air travel eco – system have called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to  expand the scope/ template it is using for the on – going audit of active scheduled carriers operating in the country’s airspace.

They said the exercise which border on the safety, technical , economic and financial health of local carriers has become compelling to restore the confidence of the traveling public.

Speaking in separate interviews, President of Top Brass Aviation, Captain Roland Iyayi, Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo , Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari  and President of

National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA),as well as a former chief of the NCAA , who pleaded not be named agree that  overhauling the operations of airlines through continuous safety and compliance with all  regulations and recommended practices, will  ensure  airlines are up to date in all aspects.

Investigations reveal that latest push by the apex civil aviation regulatory body to conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit of airlines came on the heels of the decision by one of the carriers , which was involved in major incident.

Speaking on the development, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu said :” The safety audit will involve a re-inspection of Max Air’s organisation, procedures, personnel, and aircraft, as specified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.”

He added that the economic audit would assess the airline’s financial health to ensure it can sustain safe flight operations.

Achimugu said the NCAA had commenced organisational risk profiles for each of the scheduled operators.

Speaking in a recent interview,  .Chief Executive Officer, Topbrass Aviation, Captain Roland Iyayi  said regulatory overhaul of local carriers should include  multiple licensing structure for airlines.

Iyayi said the implementation of such a structure should be determined by the scale of operations of the airline.

The NCAA , Iyayi said, should license airlines according to the type of aircraft they use for their operations, arguing that classifying all scheduled operators under the same structure was inappropriate.

He stressed that charter operators, schedule operators and carriers who use small and medium range equipment should not be classified into the same operational category.The proposed licensing structure, he said, should be determined by the scale of operations of the affected airlines, such that the regulatory framework will cater for the carriers according to the volume of operations.

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Iyayi said the structure should include: air taxis, for airlines that use small propeller aircraft; regional operators, for those that utilise medium range aircraft and national airlines, which have capacity to fly over the country, arguing that it does not make economic sense to classify all scheduled operators under the same operational regime.

On the way forward, Iyayi said: “For things to change, enforcement of regulations is key. We need to review our policies that do not support growth. We must review the licensing structure of airlines to accommodate the different niches that operators want to come into. I think the one-cap-fits-all mentality is wrong. There is a wisdom in licensing airlines based on their categories.”

The  acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Caption. Chris Najomo last year  disclosed that if  the regulator strictly abides by the dictates of the financial audit conducted on Nigerian carriers, it could expose the underbelly of their sustainability.

To assist them remain in business, he said the NCAA  continues to support indigenous carriers,to ensure safety is not compromised.

This, he said informed the regulator’s convictions in putting together a  recent regional summit with the theme :” Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry for Financial Capability and Economic Viability: An Inclusive Regulatory Dialogue.”

Najomo said the summit assisted on  strengthening airlines and other service providers to enhance operational efficiency and international competitiveness.

He said :”  Supporting the sustainable growth of the local airline industry while promoting compliance with national and international obligations and assessing existing local laws and international regulations to ensure compliance and improve funding, financial management, and safety amongst others.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari said the National Assembly  is working on a bill that will mandate Nigerian airlines to have between four to five aircraft before they can start operations.

Buhari said the proposed bill is one way to address capacity issues and other challenges Nigerian.carrietsbare grappling with.

Experts say the on – going audit of local carriers will provide a window for the NCAA to re- examine its policy prescribing a minimum fleet of six aircraft for schedulrd airlines.

On his part, President of NANTA, Mr Yinka Folami  expressed deep concern over the increasing number of near-fatal incidents in the Nigerian local travel space, calling on all stakeholders to prioritize safety and address operational concerns.

While welcoming the on – going audit of local.carriets by the NCAA, Folami said  an organisational risk audit for all airlines operating in Nigeria is long overdue.

 Folami urged airline operators and government aviation regulatory agencies to put aside their differences and work together to enhance emergency response systems and ensure the safety of passengers.

He said : “We are worried about the growing spate of near-fatal incidents in the Nigerian aviation space and the impact it has on the travelling public”.

He noted that, the association’s appeal has been echoed by some of its customers, who have expressed their anxieties and worries about the safety of air travel in Nigeria.

“We urge all stakeholders to come together and address the challenges facing the industry to restore confidence in air travel across Nigeria.

“NANTA also commended ongoing investigations into the challenges in the system, but emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and unimpeded journeys of passengers.

“We cannot pretend that we are not concerned about the safety of our customers. We urge all stakeholders to work together to minimize risks and maximize passengers’ protection.”

The NANTA  boss emphasized that, the Nigerian travelling public is already going through a lot, and it is imperative that the industry prioritizes their safety and well-being.”

On his part, a former chief of the NCAA , who pleaded not to named in print said audit of local carriers is key in driving the safety chain.

He said :” The NCAA must work regularly

with industry players, especially, airlines to ensure that there is no room for safety issues, especially in financial distress situations.”

He said when financial difficulty is not promptly checked or managed, it could lead to safety issues and may eventually lead the airlines to cutting corners in operations.

He said since aviation is safety sensitive, the NCAA will not fold its arms and watch things degenerate before it acts, adding that to ensure continuous safety and compliance with all  regulations and recommended practices, the regulatory authority ensures the airlines are up to date in all aspects.

He went on :” Aviation is safety sensitive and whenever you have financial difficulty, it is just a matter of time, you will not be able to comply with all the regulatory requirements and some may start cutting corners. So, before financial issue becomes safety issue.”

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has pledged to continue to protect the rights of passengers and airline operators.

The Acting Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo also said actions taken by the regulatory body have led to safer skies and conformity with regulations by airline operators and other stakeholders.

He also hinted that the authority recently sanctioned five airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, due to failure to pay refund tickets.

Capt., who disclosed this at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja on Thursday during the celebration of 25 years of existence of the NCAA, also said he would remain resolute in discharging his duties.

On what Nigerians should expect this year, Najomo said: “We are going to enhance surveillance this year as per consumer protection. We are going to be protecting passenger rights and also protecting the airline’s rights. We believe that passengers must know their rights and their responsibilities. We will also ensure enhanced surveillance and ensure that all the airlines conform to safety and maintain regulations.

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“By the end of 2025, we must be able to point to tangible successes. The aviation industry must be safe, secure, economically viable, and consumer-friendly. The technical and non-technical staff of relevant directorates directly in charge of these goals will be held responsible for any flaws.”

He also noted that efforts are ongoing to digitalise most of the processes in the authority for ease of doing business.

According to him: “We are digitalising most of our processes and

I am sure we will be fully digitalized by the end of the year to make doing business easy and seamless”.

On his achievements and challenges, since he assumed office the last year, Najomo said: “I have gone through a lot in the last year, but I have remained focused because I want to lay a legacy. I know there are lots of distractions but it is not affecting my work. I’m resolute in doing what I’m supposed to do. A lot of people have called for my confirmation as the DG of the NCAA, and I am certain that God brought me to the NCAA for a purpose. If I am asked to take a bow after my one year in an acting capacity, I will do so knowing that I have done a great job in the last one year. My confirmation is in the hands of Mr. President and when it comes to the time, he will do the needful.

“The Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President has allowed us to perform optimally. Our objective is to make sure that every airline complies with regulations. Recently, we sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time. The country manager of Ethiopian Airlines came to see me on the matter. So, this year, we hope to see better compliance with our regulation”.

Najomo said the authority has enhanced safety surveillance because of safety issues which has made airspace safer.

He said: “And let me be honest with you, what Mr. The President has done with his Renewed Hope agenda has ensured that our minister, with his five key points agenda, has, of course, given us the opportunity to perform more. We are going to continue performing more. Our directors are on ground” he further assured.

“Anything that will make sure that every airline complies, we will do. You can see recently we had to sanction some airlines and they accepted their sanctions” he further stated.

“We sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time. So, you know, this year, 2025, we hope to see more and better” he assured.

Capt. Najomo also told the staff he’s focused on delivering on his core job functions and meeting his performance targets so that he’s not distracted by sponsored  stories to attack him.

“The attacks are not affecting my work. There are no distractions. Because I’m resolute in doing what I’m supposed to do. My confirmation is in the hands of Mr. President. And when it comes to the time, he will do the needful. For now, it’s not distracting me. I’m doing my job” he stated.

On staff working conditions, he said his management is motivating staff in the best ways possible in addition to improved work space.