Aviation regulators and industry leaders have renewed calls for stronger governance, deeper trust, and improved safety coordination in Nigeria’s aviation sector during a major panel session at the FAAN National Aviation Conference (FNAC) 2025, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
The discussion highlighted global safety developments and Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to align fully with international standards.
The panel, themed “Trust, Safety and Governance: Reinforcing Confidence in Nigeria’s Skies,” featured contributions from top aviation authorities who jointly emphasized the need to strengthen regulatory structures, enhance transparency, and build inter-agency confidence across the aviation ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, reaffirmed that air travel remains the safest mode of transportation globally. Represented by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Engr. Godwin Gyang Balang, he noted that available international statistics consistently place aviation ahead of all other transport modes in terms of safety performance.
Najomo highlighted Nigeria’s long journey in aviation, recalling that the country recently marked 100 years of aviation history. Within that period, he said, the nation has recorded far fewer accidents compared with road transport, which continues to report thousands of incidents annually. This, he stressed, reinforces aviation’s reputation as the safest way to travel.
The NCAA DG also disclosed that Nigeria achieved over 70% in the recent ICAO Safety Audit, describing the score as a positive indicator but one that still leaves room for improvement. According to him, closing the remaining gaps will require sustained investment in safety systems, policy consistency, and stronger collaborations with global bodies such as ICAO and IATA, which play key roles in shaping aviation governance worldwide.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of BAGASOO, Jailza Soraya Rodrigues Silva, expressed concern over the limited recognition of Air Operator Certificates (AOC) issued by West African states. She explained that the lack of mutual trust among member states has hindered the implementation of multilateral safety agreements designed to harmonize standards across the region. “Member states do not trust each other’s licenses and certifications,” she said, adding that this challenge continues to slow progress in regional aviation safety integration.
Also speaking at the session, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, represented by the agency’s Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Isemiuhonmon E. Rita, reiterated NAMA’s commitment to strengthening airspace safety. He noted that the agency has been upgrading navigational aids and enhancing communication systems to ensure seamless operations for airlines and pilots.
Umar added that NAMA continues to train and retrain its personnel to keep pace with evolving industry demands, especially in areas critical to airspace management and flight safety.
The panel concluded with a collective agreement on the need for deeper trust between institutions, stronger regulatory compliance, and continuous investment in technology—key steps seen as vital for reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s skies.
