Nigeria records 91.4% in aviation safety rating as ICAO concludes audit

The Nigerian aviation industry has recorded an impressive 91.45 percent Effective Implementation (EI) score at the just-concluded International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM), held between April 15 and 22, 2026.

Speaking during the closing briefing held at the Authority’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on April 22, 2026,
Chris Ona Najomo, the Director-General Civil Aviation, (DGCA), noted that the ICVM audit is an independent platform that identifies Nigeria’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats that may impact on its statutory mandate of safety oversight responsibilities, safe aircraft operations and public safety.

While acknowledging that the validation results will be subjected to a different validation by the Safety and Air Navigation Oversight Audit Section, Capt. Najomo expressed firm optimism that the ultimate status of the Protocol Questions (PQs) will change positively based on progress made in implementing the corrective actions, evidence collected and recommendations made.

He commended the auditors – both onsite and remotely – for their professionalism, assuring that Nigeria will consider, review and implement every recommendation that has been made.

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Najomo thanked the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, ably led by the Hon. Minister, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), for the unwavering support towards the success of the high-level exercise.

He also appreciated the managements of FAAN, NSIB, NiMet, NAMA, the service providers, operators and the NCAA team comprising the directors, the NCMC, focal points and team members for their diligence, commitment and cooperation.

The DGCA acknowledged the invaluable support and collaboration of BAGASOO who made available its experts before and during the mission.

Recall that Nigeria underwent an ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA), from August to September 2023, scoring 70.12 percent in safety rating, which is considered below global safety standard.

In order to address identified deficiencies from the 2023 exercise, Nigeria conducted root cause analysis, and promptly developed a series of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), which were validated by ICAO, thereby providing a clear roadmap for effective implementation.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.