NCAA To Promulgate Customized Regulations For Airstrips In Nigeria
The Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo says “NCAA is working tirelessly to promulgate regulations customized for airstrips which would be a catalyst for the promotion and development of general aviation while, of course, maintaining safety standards.”
Delivering his welcome address at the Stakeholder Engagement With Airstrip Owners and Operators held today at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, Najomo said while ICAO Annex 14 Volume I specifies standards for certification of aerodromes, these standards may be considered over-reaching for airstrips, adding that the intended customized regulations for airstrips aligns with the regulator’s ease-of-doing-business principle.
“This aligns, strategically, with the Hon. Minister’s 5-point agenda. Presently, there are about 92 Airstrips in Nigeria based on the existing NCAA Airstrip database. These consist of the Operational, Non-operational while some are under rehabilitation and others are entirely new constructions. Unfortunately, only a few are up to date with valid operational permits. This event therefore is a platform to align our shared objectives, strengthen strategic relationships, and foster mutual understanding as we work together to advance Nigeria’s aviation sector with respect to airstrip operations, he said.
According to him, the objectives of the engagement are to enhance communication between NCAA and state and private airstrip operators/owners, to clarify regulatory requirements applicable to airstrip construction, operations and safety standards, to identify and address challenges faced by state and private airstrip operators, to explore collaborative opportunities for airstrip development and integration into Nigeria’s aviation system and to promote the adoption of global best practices in airstrip operations and management.”
Najomo said the NCAA is focusing on all types of aerodromes in a bid to expand and intensify regulatory oversight over them in the interest of safety in line with the regulatory duties residing with the NCAA as enshrined in the Civil Aviation Act of 2022.
In his remarks, NCAA’s Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang said the maiden engagement aims to revolutionize airstrip development and operation in Nigeria as Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the CAA 2022 empowers the Authority to certify and grant permits to conduct Aerodrome operations in Nigeria and to establish minimum safety standards for the design, operation, and maintenance of Aerodrome.
“It may interest this forum to note that as part of the moves to fulfilling this mandate two of our international Airports were recertified late last year and we are working to certify others soon. Beyond this, FAAN have been apprised that effective from 1st January 2026 local airports without appropriate permits under its management would be sanctioned accordingly. This is not a threat but a collective resolve,” stated Balang.
He added that “the aviation landscape has changed drastically in the recent years so the regulatory strategies must necessarily align with the realities of the season for a more impactful result. We would therefore need to tweak our regulations and other guiding documents accordingly.”
“It is worthy of mention that among these 92 airstrips 68 are Federal Government airstrips being managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development while 24 belong to individuals and private organizations. This brings to the fore the need for deeper engagement of NCAA with the Ministry to streamline the operator and regulator status for effective management,” said Balang.
