The Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has announced that Nigeria is in the final stages of completing its State Safety Programme (SSP) and National Safety Plan (NSP) to enhance aviation safety. Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Najomo reassured stakeholders that the draft SSP document would soon be published, marking a significant step in strengthening regulatory frameworks in the aviation sector.
The SSP, mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is a structured set of regulations designed to improve civil aviation safety by addressing identified risks. As part of efforts to finalize the document, the NCAA is hosting the ICAO-West and Central Africa (WACAF) Regional Office’s Safety Programme Assistant Mission in Abuja. The mission aims to accelerate the implementation of the SSP and ensure compliance with global safety standards.
Represented by NCAA Director of Special Duties, Mr. Horatius Egua, Capt. Najomo revealed that the document has undergone multiple revisions based on stakeholder feedback. He emphasized that a physical stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 2025, alongside an SMS workshop for industry executives, would further refine the safety framework.
The NCAA, with technical support from ICAO-WACAF, aims to bridge regulatory gaps and enhance safety protocols across the aviation industry. Dr. Iteke Ifeanyi Chukwunomso, NCAA’s General Manager of Air Operator Certification and Surveillance, noted that while safety measures have been in place, the SSP introduces a proactive and predictive approach to risk management.
He stressed that airlines, maintenance organizations, training institutes, and aviation service providers, including FAAN and NAMA, must fully comply with the State Safety Management System (SMS) requirements. Although some have begun implementing SMS, they have yet to meet the expected safety standards.
The NCAA reiterated that the SSP is a crucial step in managing aviation safety nationwide, ensuring Nigeria aligns with global best practices in air travel safety.
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