Nigeria’s aviation sector has received a notable boost following the successful conclusion of a technical assistance mission conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization Western and Central African (WACAF) Regional Office Safety Team, which assessed the country’s regulatory systems and preparedness ahead of an international validation exercise.
The mission ended on Thursday, 19 February 2026, with a formal debriefing session held at the headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, where officials described the engagement as a critical step toward reinforcing Nigeria’s compliance with global aviation safety standards and improving institutional performance across the sector.
Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, characterised the exercise as a thorough and insightful review that tested the strength of Nigeria’s aviation oversight architecture.
He said the mission has significantly enhanced the country’s state of readiness for the ICAO International Coordinated Validation Mission scheduled to take place from 15 to 22 April 2026, an audit widely regarded as a benchmark for measuring a nation’s adherence to international aviation safety obligations.
According to Najomo, the Authority views the recommendations from the ICAO team not as criticisms but as strategic guidance that will drive targeted reforms.
He pledged that all findings would be incorporated into an accelerated implementation plan featuring clearly defined deadlines, measurable targets, and stronger coordination among directorates to ensure prompt execution.
He expressed gratitude to organisations that supported the exercise, including the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
He noted that their collaboration and technical contributions were essential to the mission’s success and reflected a unified national approach to aviation safety management.
Najomo emphasised that the engagement has already produced tangible benefits by strengthening internal systems, improving procedural clarity, and sharpening institutional focus.
He added that such outcomes are expected to translate into enhanced operational reliability, stronger regulatory oversight, and increased confidence among international aviation stakeholders.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the ICAO team, Kebba Lamin Jammeh commended Nigeria’s aviation authorities for their responsiveness, professionalism, and transparency throughout the mission.
He highlighted the willingness of NCAA technical departments and partner agencies to provide comprehensive documentation and operational access as evidence of the country’s commitment to meeting international standards.
Aviation observers note that ICAO technical assistance missions play a vital preparatory role for states ahead of validation audits, as they allow regulators to identify compliance gaps, fine-tune oversight mechanisms, and align national frameworks with global best practices.
The favourable outcome of the latest mission, they say, signals steady progress in Nigeria’s aviation regulatory environment and underscores the authorities’ determination to sustain improvements.
With the April validation exercise approaching, stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem are expected to intensify implementation of recommended measures, positioning Nigeria to demonstrate measurable progress when international assessors return for the formal review.
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