NCAA and FAAN Meet Stakeholders Ahead of ICAO Validation Mission

The Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, held a coordination meeting with the FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and other aviation sector stakeholders at the Authority's Corporate Headquarters in Abuja ahead of the April 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM).

Capt. Najomo acknowledged progress in implementing Corrective Action Plans following the 2023 ICAO audit, emphasizing that improving Nigeria's ICAO rating remains a Federal Government priority. He stressed the need to close outstanding gaps in aerodrome certification, surveillance, and operational oversight.

Mrs. Kuku assured stakeholders that FAAN staff remain fully operational for certification preparations. However, she flagged critical infrastructure concerns, including runway design and engineering limitations, the need to close one of two taxiways, and required patchwork repairs that could present safety risks.

Those in attendance from FAAN also included ; Capt. Abdulaziz Mahmoud, Mba Ifeoma, FAAN Certification Secretary Kate Idam, and other FAAN management staff.

With preliminary ICAO engagements expected this month and on-site validation in April, authorities expressed confidence that sustained collaboration will yield a successful outcome for Nigeria's aviation safety oversight system.