The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issuedaerodrome certificates to the Malam Aminu International Airport in Kano, andthe Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt. According to NAN, the certificates were presented on Fridayin Abuja by Chris Najomo, director-general of the NCAA. Najomo said the certification confirms that the airports’operational procedures, and safety management systems meet internationalbenchmarks. He said aerodrome certification enhances the airports’ riskprofile, improves their standing with insurers, often leads to more favourableinsurance premiums, improves underwriting conditions for aerodrome operators, airlines and serviceproviders operating at the airport. The DG, who said the certificate was a seal of confidencefor airlines, investors, and the travelling public, added that the certificateis another step towards strengthening Nigerian aviation credibility andcompetitiveness. “The certificate aligns with aviation minister’s five-pointagenda and President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda which emphasiseinfrastructure renewal, institutional strengthening, and improved servicedelivery across strategic national sectors, including aviation,” Najomo said. “I am pleased to state that through diligent collaborationand sustained effort, both MAKIA and JOAIA have now been adjudged compliant,and have no matters of significant safety concern outstanding. “With today’s certification, the total number of Nigeria’sinternational airports that have been issued Aerodrome Certificates rises tofour out of the five designated international airports in Nigeria. “The earlier certified airports being Murtala MuhammedInternational Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.” The NCAA boss said the certification followed multipleinspections, the issuance of corrective action notices, and the submission ofcorrective action plans by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) toaddress identified gaps at both airports. He said the achievement reflects a collective commitment toaviation safety, regulatory compliance, and international confidence inNigeria’s aviation system. Najomo added that the NCAA will continue to ensure strictadherence to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations and the International CivilAviation Organisation’s standards and recommended practices, uphold robustsafety management systems, and adopt technology-driven operational practices. The DG said the authority will also ensure quality-drivenand transparent processes that satisfy all stakeholders, while supporting thesustainable development of the aviation industry and national economy, inaccordance with its mandate. ‘CERTIFICATION FOLLOWED RIGOROUS PROCESS’ Speaking after receiving the certificates, Olubunmi Kuku,managing director (MD) of FAAN, said the certification followed rigorousprocess. She said it involved meticulous inspections, constructivedialogue, and the diligent exchange of corrective action notices and plans. “The NCAA, our regulator, is not just an overseer but acrucial partner in ensuring our strict compliance with standard and recommendedpractices by providing clear guidance, rigorous scrutiny, and invaluabletechnical counsel,” Kuku said. She added that FAAN teams in Kano and Port Harcourt, withsupport from headquarters, demonstrated strong commitment to meeting thestringent requirements. According to the MD, the certification is a sharedachievement earned through collaboration that prioritises safety and nationalinterest.
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