The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have intensified coordination efforts ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) scheduled for April 2026.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, led a high-level coordination meeting with the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and key aviation sector stakeholders on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Capt. Najomo acknowledged measurable progress in the implementation of Corrective Action Plans arising from the 2023 ICAO audit, stressing that improving Nigeria’s ICAO safety rating remains a top priority of the Federal Government. He emphasised the urgency of closing outstanding gaps, particularly in aerodrome certification, surveillance activities and overall operational oversight.
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According to him, sustained inter-agency collaboration and strict adherence to ICAO standards are critical to ensuring a successful validation exercise and strengthening Nigeria’s aviation safety oversight framework.
In her remarks, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, assured stakeholders that FAAN personnel are fully mobilised and actively supporting certification preparations across airports. However, she raised concerns over critical infrastructure challenges that require urgent attention, including runway design and engineering limitations, the necessity to temporarily close one of two taxiways at some facilities, and patchwork repairs that could pose safety risks if not properly addressed.
She noted that addressing these infrastructure issues is essential to meeting ICAO requirements and sustaining safe airport operations.
FAAN officials present at the meeting included Capt. Abdulaziz Mahmoud, Mba Ifeoma, FAAN Certification Secretary Kate Idam, alongside other members of FAAN management.
With preliminary ICAO engagements expected later this month and the on-site validation mission slated for April, aviation authorities expressed confidence that continued collaboration among stakeholders will deliver a positive outcome for Nigeria’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance standing.
