BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria’s pilots have hit back hard at what they describe as a “malicious and baseless” allegation by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu that some pilots smoke Indian hemp and fly under the influence of drugs, demanding that he either provide proof or publicly withdraw the statement.
The pilots spoke through their union, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and totally condemned what they called an “irresponsible and damaging” remark on the floor of the National Assembly.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Engr. Blessing Ahmadu, the Association described the claim as “false, reckless, and deeply injurious to the integrity of Nigerian aviation professionals.”
NAAPE insisted that the allegation was not only unfounded but also capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s air transport system, one that, it stressed, ranks among the safest in Africa.
“These baseless claims constitute a malicious attack on the professionalism, integrity, and reputation of Nigerian aviation professionals.
“They are false and represent a dangerous misrepresentation of the rigorous safety standards that govern Nigerian aviation operations”, NAAPE said.
The Association emphasised that all licensed pilots in Nigeria are subject to stringent regulatory, medical and ethical standards set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
These standards, NAAPE said, expressly forbid the use of psychoactive substances and mandate regular and random drug and alcohol testing as part of pilots’ certification and recurrent assessments.
“It is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that pilots routinely engage in drug use or report to duty under the influence of such substances.
“Aviation operations in Nigeria involve multiple layers of oversight, including pre-flight medical checks, simulator training, random toxicology screening, and continuous regulatory monitoring”, it added.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said it was “unacceptable to make unsubstantiated claims against a community of professionals” and called on Senator Kalu to either present evidence or apologise.
“The burden of proof lies with whoever makes such an allegation.
“It must be supported by evidence or withdrawn with a public apology. Everyone appears to speak as an aviation expert in this country except the professionals trained to do the job.
“For too long, individuals outside the industry have tried to define its operations, and one would have expected a former airline operator to know better”, be declared.
Gindeh stressed that Nigerian pilots undergo some of the most rigorous medical and psychological screenings in the world, describing Kalu’s comments as “deeply unfair to thousands of disciplined professionals who dedicate their lives to ensuring safe skies.”
NAAPE urged Senator Kalu to immediately present verifiable evidence to relevant agencies such as the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) or issue an unreserved public apology to Nigeria’s aviators.
The Association also called on the NCAA to publicly restate its existing drug and alcohol testing procedures for pilots to reassure travellers and correct any misconceptions arising from the senator’s comments.
Furthermore, NAAPE invited the National Assembly’s Committee on Aviation and Senator Kalu himself to engage with aviation professionals and better understand the safety framework governing pilot training and operations.
“We remain committed to upholding the highest professional standards among our members.
“Nigerian pilots are among the most competent, disciplined, and safety-conscious professionals globally, and the flying public can continue to trust in the safety of our skies”, the statement noted.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
