NCAA Completes Technical Assessment Mission for Airspace Safety

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has completed an intensive 10-day technical assistance mission aimed at embedding long-term structural reforms into Nigeria's Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) Design and Flight Validation ecosystem.

The on-site mission, conducted from August 24 to September 4, 2026, was to directly address the 20 Short-Term Corrective Actions (STCAs) recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This initiative is coming on the heels of Nigeria's recent vacation of its Significant Safety Concern (SSC) status, shifting the Authority's focus from temporary compliance towards institutional sustainability.

Speaking to participants during the closing session held on the 4th September 2026, at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the Director, Aerodrome & Airspace Standards, Alh. Ahmad Abba, mni, stated that resolving the SSC represents a solid foundation for permanent regulatory transformation rather than a final endpoint.

He, therefore, cautioned that the vacation of the SSC must not lead to complacency, but must serve as a platform for strengthening the underlying regulatory and institutional framework so that the deficiencies that gave rise to the concern do not persist.

The execution of the mission across fiive primary work packages was led by Eng. Mukuka Besa of SkyALITE Aviation Digital Systems, the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority, alongside its technical expert, Eng. Ananias Sichone, and a joint-working team from the NCAA and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

In closing, the mission team extends its deep appreciation to the management and team from NCAA and NAMA for their commitment, cooperation and warm hospitality, and to BAGASOO for providing institutional oversight support, showcasing cross-border technical cooperation across Africa.