Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of the NCAA,
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has addressed recent reports about a purported ban on Nigerian airlines by the United States, clarifying that there is no safety or security issue affecting Nigeria’s aviation sector. Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of the NCAA, stated that the incorrect interpretation of these reports necessitates a proper explanation of Nigeria’s current status with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
To operate flights into the United States, Nigerian airlines, like their counterparts from other nations, must achieve Category 1 status under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme. This status permits the operation of Nigerian-registered aircraft and dry-leased foreign aircraft to the U.S. under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). Nigeria first achieved Category 1 status in August 2010, with subsequent assessments by the FAA in 2014 and 2017 confirming the country’s compliance with international safety standards.
However, in September 2022, the FAA removed Nigeria from the Category 1 list due to the absence of Nigerian operators servicing the U.S. with Nigerian-registered aircraft over a two-year period. This decision, which also affected other countries under similar conditions, does not reflect any safety or security lapses in Nigeria’s oversight system. Nigeria has consistently passed ICAO Safety and Security Audits without significant concerns.
Capt. Najomo emphasized that Nigerian airlines can still operate into the U.S. using wet-leased aircraft from countries with current Category 1 status. The NCAA remains committed to upholding international safety and security standards and respects the sovereignty of other nations’ airspaces.
To address the situation, Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, has spearheaded a robust international campaign. This includes efforts to enhance local operators’ access to the global dry-lease market, with recent developments such as an MOU with Boeing and a visit to Airbus. Additionally, Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention is being strengthened to rebuild international lessor confidence.
The NCAA is confident that these initiatives will not only restore Nigeria’s Category 1 status but also ensure its sustainability in the future.
