The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a secure and compliant airspace through enhanced safety measures and regulatory enforcement. Acting Director General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, made this pledge during the Authority’s annual New Year prayer session at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Captain Najomo assured Nigerians that the NCAA is determined to maintain a safe and secure aviation industry, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to safety standards by all stakeholders.
“We have enhanced safety surveillance because of safety issues. Anything that will ensure every airline complies, we will do,” Najomo stated while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the event.
Highlighting the Authority’s recent enforcement actions, Najomo revealed that sanctions had been imposed on several airlines for failing to meet regulatory obligations. Among the sanctions was a penalty imposed on five airlines for delaying ticket refunds, a move he said demonstrated the NCAA’s resolve to uphold industry standards.
“You can see recently we had to sanction some airlines, and they accepted their sanctions. 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,” Najomo said.
The NCAA boss attributed the Authority’s renewed vigor to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and the Minister of Aviation’s five-point agenda. These initiatives, according to him, have created an enabling environment for the NCAA to deliver on its mandate.
“Let me be honest with you, what 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 added.
Captain Najomo also addressed the welfare of NCAA staff, assuring employees of improved workspaces and motivation initiatives. He noted that the management is committed to creating a conducive environment to support the Authority’s operations.
On the digital front, Najomo outlined the NCAA’s strides toward full digitalization. He highlighted the establishment of a flight data centre, the CPD portal, and the DATR portal, all aimed at streamlining business processes and improving efficiency.
“We will be fully digitalised. We also have the flight data centre that is there. We have the CPD portal. We have the DATR portal to make it easier doing business and seamless too,” he said.
The NCAA’s renewed focus on safety, compliance, and modernization is expected to enhance Nigeria’s aviation sector, fostering confidence among stakeholders and passengers alike.
by Saifullahi Muhammad
