Nigerian NCAA grants safety certification to Kano and Port Harcourt airports.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially issued Aerodrome Certificates to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt (JOAIA). This certification marks a significant step in strengthening aviation safety and international confidence in Nigeria’s air transport system. With these additions, the total number of certified international airports in Nigeria now stands at four out of five, joining the previously certified Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

NCAA Director General Captain Chris Najomo confirmed that the certification process was rigorous, ensuring both aerodromes meet the requirements prescribed in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 12, Vol. I, which domesticates ICAO Annex 14 standards. The process involved multiple inspections, the issuance of Corrective Action Notices (CANs), and subsequent implementation of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Najomo emphasized that certification is a globally recognized attestation that infrastructure is safe, operational procedures meet international benchmarks, and safety management systems are functional.

The certification carries important economic implications, strengthening the airports’ risk profile, which often results in more favorable insurance premiums for both the operator and airlines. FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku hailed the achievement as a testament to exemplary interagency cooperation, noting that the certificates are a shared trophy earned through collaboration between the regulator and the operator. FAAN has committed to strictly adhering to the remaining items in the corrective action plan to ensure absolute compliance and continuous improvement.