BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria’s aviation sector has staged a sharp turnaround, vaulting from a subpar safety rating to a near top-tier global score, as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) wrapped up its latest oversight validation in Abuja.
Central to the rebound is the country’s 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation (EI) score recorded during the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) conducted between April 15 and 22, 2026, a key leap from the 70.12 per cent posted during the 2023 audit cycle.
The new rating signals more than statistical improvement; it reflects a systemic clean-up of Nigeria’s aviation safety architecture after global concerns were raised just three years ago.
Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, described the ICVM as a rigorous diagnostic tool that exposes both institutional gaps and operational strengths across the aviation ecosystem.
According to him, the exercise not only benchmarks Nigeria against global standards but also stress-tests its ability to sustain safety oversight in an increasingly complex air transport environment.
Unlike routine audits, the ICVM specifically tracks how effectively countries have implemented corrective actions following earlier findings.
For Nigeria, this meant confronting deep-rooted deficiencies identified in 2023—ranging from regulatory lapses to operational oversight gaps—and deploying targeted reforms.
Industry insiders say the leap to over 91 per cent suggests that those reforms are beginning to stick.
Najomo, however, struck a measured tone, noting that the current score remains subject to final validation by ICAO’s Safety and Air Navigation Oversight Audit Section.
Even so, he expressed confidence that ongoing compliance efforts and documented evidence of reforms would further strengthen Nigeria’s standing when the final protocol assessments are concluded.
“This process is not just about passing an audit; it is about building a resilient safety system,” he said, underscoring the regulator’s commitment to continuous improvement rather than one-off compliance.
Behind the improved rating is a coordinated push across multiple aviation agencies. Key institutions including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) were mobilised to close compliance gaps and align operations with international standards.
Their collective effort reflects a broader shift from fragmented oversight to a more integrated safety management framework—one that aligns regulatory enforcement, infrastructure, weather intelligence, and accident investigation under a unified compliance strategy.
Crucially, the turnaround was driven by a structured response to the 2023 audit.
Authorities conducted a root-cause analysis of identified weaknesses and rolled out Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), which were subsequently validated by ICAO.
These plans served as a roadmap, guiding reforms across regulatory processes, personnel training, documentation, and operational monitoring.
Aviation analysts note that such a jump in EI score within a relatively short period is rare and often indicative of strong political backing and institutional alignment.
That backing, according to Najomo, came from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, led by Festus Keyamo, whose policy direction and support helped accelerate reform implementation.
The audit process itself blended both physical inspections and remote evaluations, with ICAO auditors assessing documentation, interviewing personnel, and verifying on-ground compliance with global safety protocols.
Najomo commended the audit team for its professionalism and pledged that all recommendations—both minor and critical—would be reviewed and implemented.
Beyond government agencies, industry stakeholders also played a role. Airlines, service providers, and technical partners contributed to the compliance drive, while regional bodies such as Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) provided expert support before and during the mission.
The implications of the improved rating extend beyond regulatory optics.
Higher safety scores enhance a country’s credibility in the global aviation market, potentially attracting more international carriers, boosting passenger confidence, and lowering insurance premiums for operators.
For Nigeria, the new score may also strengthen its negotiating position in bilateral air service agreements and deepen integration into global air transport networks.
Still, experts caution that sustaining the gains will be the real test. Aviation safety is a moving target, shaped by evolving technologies, operational complexities, and emerging risks. Maintaining a score above 90 per cent will require continuous investment in training, infrastructure, and regulatory independence.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
