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‘How poor airfield regulation endangers sector’
- NCAA sets Jan 1 2026 for sanction against erring airstrip operators
The Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo has pointed out that international and regional aviation bodies now recognize that a poorly regulated operational environment can endanger the entire industry.
He spoke against the backdrop of some operators of airstrips that are not safety compliant, adding that out of 92 airstrips scattered all over the country, only a few are safety compliant.
This he said is giving the NCAA cause for concern to tackle the decade long rot in the General Aviation sector and worried that the use of unlicensed air fields has a huge economic and security impact on the country.
Of the 92 airstrips in the country, 68 are managed by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while the remaining 24 are owned by private individuals and organisations.
Consequently, the aviation regulatory body disclosed that starting January 1, 2026, it will begin sanctioning airstrip operators who fail to obtain the required permits.
The Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the NCAA, Engr. Godwin Balang stated this during a stakeholder engagement programme for airstrip owners and operators held in Lagos on Monday.
The event, with theme, “Enhancing Safety, Compliance, and Collaboration for Efficient Airstrip Operations,” marked the maiden edition of such an engagement.
According to Balang, Nigeria has a total of 92 airstrips, including operational, non-operational, and those under rehabilitation or construction. However, only a few are currently compliant with safety and regulatory standards.
He said “It may interest this forum to note that as part of our efforts to uphold aviation safety, two of our international airports were recertified late last year, and work is ongoing to certify others.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced that starting January 1, 2026, it will begin sanctioning airstrip operators who fail to obtain the required permits.
The Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the NCAA, Engr. Godwin Balang stated this during a stakeholder engagement programme for airstrip owners and operators held in Lagos on Monday.
The event, themed “Enhancing Safety, Compliance, and Collaboration for Efficient Airstrip Operations,” marked the maiden edition of such an engagement.
According to Balang, Nigeria has a total of 92 airstrips, including operational, non-operational, and those under rehabilitation or construction. However, only a few are currently compliant with safety and regulatory standards.
He said “It may interest this forum to note that as part of our efforts to uphold aviation safety, two of our international airports were recertified late last year, and work is ongoing to certify others.
Balang also said. “Furthermore, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been informed that, effective January 1, 2026, any local airport under its management operating without valid permits will face sanctions. This is not a threat but a collective resolve to enforce compliance.”
In response, he said, the NCAA has intensified efforts to broaden regulatory oversight to include all types of aerodromes, with particular attention now being paid to airstrips.
Najomo reaffirmed that the NCAA’s authority to regulate airstrip operations is firmly rooted in the Civil Aviation Act of 2022.
He explained that while international standards, such as those in ICAO’s Annex 14 Volume I, set out certification requirements for aerodromes, these standards can sometimes be overly stringent when applied to airstrips.
