Sunday August 23, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Idorenyin UMOREN
A group, Coalition for Good Governance in Africa, CGGA has commended the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, for his efforts to strengthen safety regulation, consumer protection and investment confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 21, 2026, by its President, Mohammed Kudu, the coalition said Najomo should not be held solely responsible for the wider challenges affecting the industry, noting that aviation involves several regulators, airlines, airport operators, government agencies and other stakeholders.
The group said its assessment of Najomo’s tenure indicated a focus on safety oversight, consumer protection, regulatory efficiency and efforts to create a more predictable operating environment for investors.
The coalition also highlighted Najomo’s more than four decades of experience in aviation, including his previous roles within the NCAA and the airline industry.
According to the group, the NCAA’s work around aircraft financing and investment is particularly important to the industry’s development, given the significant capital required by airlines to acquire and maintain aircraft.
It noted that Najomo, speaking at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in April, identified capital, confidence and capacity as key pillars for the growth of the aviation industry.
The coalition also cited the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing the Cape Town Convention and the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation, IDERA, framework as measures that could help strengthen confidence among aircraft financiers and lessors.
Kudu said Najomo’s performance should be assessed within the broader responsibilities of the aviation sector rather than against every challenge experienced by passengers and operators.
He said the regulator’s responsibilities were different from those of airlines, airport managers, air navigation service providers and other institutions involved in the operation of the aviation industry.
The group therefore urged stakeholders to distinguish between regulatory responsibilities and operational challenges when assessing the performance of the NCAA.
CGGA also praised Najomo for what it described as increased engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, saying collaboration would be necessary to address some of the sector’s longstanding challenges.
