Senate grills NCAA and local airlines over aviation safety breaches
The Nigerian Senate has summoned officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and key executives of local airline operators over alleged safety breaches, poor regulatory oversight, and rising air incident reports across the country’s aviation sector.
The decision followed a motion raised during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), who expressed concern over the “increasing frequency of flight safety violations” and “technical lapses” that could endanger passengers and crew members.
“Recent reports of near misses, flight diversions, and poor aircraft maintenance raise serious questions about the enforcement of safety standards in our aviation sector,” Senator Olujimi said.
“The NCAA must answer for what appears to be systemic negligence. We cannot wait for another tragedy before taking decisive action.”
Senate Committee takes charge
Following deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Aviation to invite the Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, and chief executives of leading domestic carriers, including Air Peace, Max Air, Dana Air, and United Nigeria Airlines, to appear before lawmakers.
The committee is expected to review the state of aircraft maintenance, licensing processes, pilot training, and safety monitoring mechanisms currently in place across Nigeria’s commercial airlines.
“This Senate will not compromise on aviation safety. We must ensure that Nigerian air travellers are protected and that airlines comply strictly with global aviation standards,” Akpabio stated.
Recent safety concerns
The summons comes amid public anxiety over a series of air-related incidents in recent months. In September, an Air Peace aircraft made an emergency landing in Lagos after experiencing engine issues midair. Similarly, Dana Air was grounded briefly in July after reports of technical faults in one of its aircraft.
Aviation analysts have also criticised the NCAA for what they described as “reactive regulation”, saying the agency often responds to crises instead of enforcing proactive safety measures.
“Our oversight systems are too weak. Until the NCAA enforces zero tolerance for violations, airlines will continue to cut corners,” said Dr. Emeka Okafor, an aviation safety expert.
NCAA defends record
In a brief response to journalists, the NCAA spokesperson, Mr. Michael Achimugu, maintained that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe and that the agency consistently monitors operators for compliance.
“The NCAA operates in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. Any violation that comes to our notice is dealt with decisively,” Achimugu said.
He assured that the agency would cooperate fully with the Senate committee to address lawmakers’ concerns.
What to expect next
The Senate committee is expected to hold a public hearing next week, where stakeholders, including representatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), will present reports on operational safety and infrastructure challenges in the aviation sector.
Lawmakers are also expected to recommend stronger sanctions for airlines and officials found guilty of negligence or safety violations.
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