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NCAA BEGINS ACI-ICAO AERODROME CERTIFICATION COURSE IN LAGOS The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Monday, November 2, 2026, commenced a five-day Airports Council International (ACI) - International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aerodrome Certification Course for personnel in its Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS). The intensive training will be conducted in three sets, with two batches in each set.The first set will run from 2nd to 6th November, 2026; the second and the third sets will commence from 9th to 13th November, and 16th to 20th November, 2026 respectively. Delivering his remarks in Lagos, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the Regional Manager, NCAA Lagos Office, Mrs Olubukola Teriba, described aerodrome certification as an important component of the State's aviation safety oversight system, providing a structured process through which the Authority validates aerodrome's compliance with applicable safety requirements for its intended operations. The course is aimed at consolidating the gains already achieved, strengthening the technical competence of the inspectors and promoting greater consistency in the application of certification and surveillance requirements. While commending stakeholders for their collective efforts which have yielded significant results, he highlighted that five designated international aerodromes in Nigeria have achieved certification. Furthermore, the 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) recorded a remarkable improvement in the Aerodromes and Grounds Aids (AGA) Effective Implementation score from roughly 57.6 per cent to 95.16 per cent, while Nigeria's overall Effective Implementation improved from 70.23 per cent to 91.30 per cent. The DGCA disclosed that the Authority, working closely with relevant stakeholders, intensified regulatory engagement, conducted technical inspections, prioritized safety deficiencies, strengthened corrective action planning and evidence management, among others. He, therefore, called for continuous surveillance and competence to sustain the feat, and expressed NCAA's firm commitment to developing and maintaining a competent, professional and effective inspectorate capable of discharging its statutory responsibilities and fulfilling Nigeria's obligations under the international aviation safety framework. The Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Alh. Ahmad Abba, mni, represented by the General Manager, Aerodrome Standards (Ground Handling Oversight), Mr Chukwu Emmanuel, stated that the programme is a special, carefully-designed initiative that merges ACI and ICAO concepts, noting that sustaining the certification of the five aerodromes demands competence, knowledge and intentional commitment. The programme, covering aerodrome certification standards, regulatory requirements, aerodrome manuals, Safety Management Systems, emergency planning, auditing techniques and certification procedures, including practical exercises and site visits, is organized by CRID led by its Regional Director for Africa, Mr Nicholas Aitalegbe, in collaboration with the ACI led by the Manager, Airport Solutions, Mr Martins Okeke.

NCAA, UK DEEPEN STRATEGIC AVIATION SECURITY COOPERATION The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the United Kingdom Department for Transport (DfT) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening aviation security cooperation, with emphasis on specialised training, intelligence sharing and strategic engagement. The renewed commitment was highlighted during a meeting to explore additional areas of collaboration and strengthen existing ties between both parties, held at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Representing the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, the Director of Human Resources and Administration (DHR&A), Dr (Mrs) Anastasia Gbem, welcomed the UK delegation and reiterated the Authority's commitment to strengthening aviation security through continuous training and capacity development. Capt. Najomo noted that equipping personnel with the necessary skills and expertise remains critical to effective safety and security oversight, while expressing appreciation for the UK's continued technical support. Providing further insight into the long-standing relationship, the Director of Aviation Security Regulation (DAVSEC), Dr Bernard Omogo, recalled that the partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018, had facilitated several training programmes and technical engagements. The DAVSEC expressed deep optimism about expanding the collaboration to address evolving aviation security challenges. Responding, the delegation lead and Head of Strategic Engagement, Aviation Security International Operations, Mr Patrick Duncan, mooted a more strategic approach to the partnership, entailing regular high-level dialogue, intelligence sharing and cooperation on emerging airport security technologies. While commending the NCAA and other stakeholders for their continued cooperation during successive airport visitations and security assessments, Mr Duncan stated that the UK's recommendations were intended to support mutual development through collaboration rather than prescribe corrective action plans. In attendance were NCAA directors, aviation security managers, inspectors, other officials, together with members of the UK delegation.

CAPT. NAJOMO INAUGURATES NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ECONOMIC OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO DRIVE ECOWAS AVIATION REFORMS The Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has inaugurated the National Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee (NATEOC) to serve as Nigeria’s primary national coordinating platform to assess compliance, identify implementation gaps, recommend policy adjustments, and monitor progress towards fulfilling regional aviation policy obligations. Delivering the keynote address at the inauguration ceremony held at the Authority's Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on the 14th October, 2026, Capt. Najomo, represented by the Director, Air Transport Regulation, Mrs Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, highlighted other responsibilities of the committee to include designing an implementation roadmap, reviewing compliance alongside legislative and regulatory measures, ensuring official publication in the national gazette, and collaborating closely with relevant regional institutions. Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, during its 66th Ordinary Session held in Abuja on the 15th December, 2024, adopted the Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/24, which addresses the common policy on aviation charges, taxes, and fees across member states. The Act, as a major regional aviation reform policy, is aimed at reducing prohibitive air travel costs, boosting transparency in aviation services, strengthening economic oversight, and fostering healthy competition within the regional air transport market. Elaborating on the committee's specific mandate, Capt. Najomo noted that NATEOC's responsibility is to translate the provisions of the Supplementary Act into practical, coordinated, and measurable national actions in strict conformity with ICAO Doc 9082. To, therefore, achieve these goals, he added that the committee must actively and constructively engage with key industry stakeholders, including local airline operators and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Also speaking, the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs Mary Tufano-Eche, admonished the committee to painstakingly examine both legislative and legal frameworks backing the Supplementary Act. This is with a view to ensuring seamless integration into the national aviation framework, while preventing any legal friction with established ICAO documents and domestic regulations. NATEOC is a multi-agency body comprising representatives from the Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development (FMAAD), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and Federal Ministry of Finance (MOF).

BUKOLA TERIBA, NCAA LAGOS REGIONAL MANAGER, NAMED AMONG TOP 100 AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS The Regional Manager, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Lagos Office, Mrs Olubukola Aduragbemi Teriba, Esq, FCAI, has been named among Top 100 Nigerian professionals by the African Consulting Group in collaboration with African CEO Magazine. This was in recognition of her exemplary leadership, innovation, integrity, and professional excellence. Receiving the award, held on the sidelines of African Professional Summit, Expo and Awards 2026, themed:" Celebrating Professional Excellence for Global Competitiveness,” in Lagos, on the 3rd October, 2026, Mrs Teriba expressed profound gratitude to the Institute for finding her outstanding to be listed in The Top 100 professional rank in Nigeria and African as a whole. She, therefore, dedicated the award to the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, for giving her the golden opportunity and privilege to serve. The Group publisher, African CEO Magazine, Mr Peter SaSellu, while presenting the award, congratulated and commended Teriba for her excellent and unwavering commitment which has continued to impact the business community positively. Present at the 2026 edition were leading professionals, business executives, industry leaders, professional institutions and other stakeholders

NCAA MEETS STAKEHOLDERS TO REVIEW PREVIOUS HAJJ OPERATIONS, COMMENCE PREPARATIONS FOR 2027 PILGRIMAGE The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Tuesday, 29th September 2026, at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, convened a stakeholders’ meeting to review the previous Hajj operations, and commence preparations for the upcoming 2027 Hajj airlift. Represented by the Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS) and Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Ahmad Abba, mni, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, reiterated NCAA’s strong commitment to working closely with relevant stakeholders to review previous Hajj operations, and address identified challenges in a bid to ensure safe, efficient and successful operations in 2027. In his remarks, the Commissioner of Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, highlighted key challenges from the previous operations, and provided updates on the new Saudi Government policy on the proposed allocation of 98 per cent of pilgrims to tour operators as well as the allocation of states to airlines for the 2027 Hajj airlift. A major highlight of the meeting was a series of briefings by representatives of relevant agencies and Hajj airlift operators, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and participating Hajj airlines, including Saudi Air, Flynas, Air Peace, Max Air and Umza. Members of the NCAA team present at the meeting included the General Manager, Statistics, Research and Development, Maryam Ismail; Deputy General Manager, Cost Recovery, Alhassan Balarabe; and Flight Operations Inspector, Captain Ibrahim Yunusa; and other senior officials.

NCAA ISSUES AUTHORIZATION LETTERS, OFFICIAL STAMPS TO NINE DESIGNATED OJT SUPERVISORS The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on the 18th September, 2026, at its Examination Hall in Abuja, issued Authorization Letters and Official Stamps to nine (9) Designated On-the-Job Training (OJT) Supervisors to strengthen standards and safety oversight. They are Joshua Onoja (Value Jet) Fumami Mashaba (Value Jet); Banire AbdulLateef (Value Jet); Fadoju Temiloluwa (Rano Air); Audu Thomas Tinat (Rano Air); Comfort Ayhok (Rano Air); Yakubu Abba Aliyu (Rano Air); Charles Dogara Mallam (Aero Tak); and Mohammed Jafar Liman (Aero Tak). Delivering his welcome remarks at the brief but symbolic ceremony, the Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS), Captain Donald Spiff, noted that the presentation represents an important regulatory requirement and a safety-critical responsibility, in line with the ALL-Operators’ Notice dated 22 March, 2024; the ICAO Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing; and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), Part 2.6. According to Captain Spiff, the Nigerian aviation industry continues to grow rapidly, and with that growth comes an even greater responsibility to maintain the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and regulatory compliance. He, therefore, tasked the designated OJT Supervisors, as the eyes of the NCAA, to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, diligence, fairness, and strict adherence to applicable regulations and standards - having been painstakingly selected on the basis of their experience, qualifications, professional competence, and compliance history. Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Engr Mohammed Jafar Liman, thanked the NCAA management for the trust reposed in them with the issuance, promising to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, objectivity, accountability, and regulatory compliance in the discharge of their duties. Apart from the DOLTS, senior officers present at the event included the General Manager (Licensing Inspectorate), Mr Hyelni H. Bassi; General Manager (Quality Assurance & Documentation), Engr. Obi N. Edwin; Assistant Chief Licensing Examiner (ACLE), Mr Ebiwonjumi Erioluwa; and hordes of staff from DOLTS. ncaa.gov.ng