The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has held a high-level coordination meeting with the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and other key aviation stakeholders ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) scheduled for April 2026.
The meeting took place at the Authority’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja and focused on assessing Nigeria’s readiness for the upcoming ICAO exercise, particularly in the areas of compliance, safety oversight and infrastructure.
Capt. Najomo acknowledged the progress recorded in implementing Corrective Action Plans following the 2023 ICAO audit, noting that improving Nigeria’s ICAO rating remains a priority for the Federal Government. He emphasised the urgency of closing outstanding gaps, especially in aerodrome certification, surveillance and operational oversight, to ensure a favourable outcome during the validation mission.
In her remarks, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, assured stakeholders that FAAN staff are fully mobilised and actively engaged in preparations for aerodrome certification. However, she raised concerns over critical infrastructure challenges that could impact compliance. These include runway design and engineering limitations, the need to temporarily close one of the two taxiways, as well as patchwork repairs required in certain areas, which she noted could pose potential safety risks if not adequately addressed.
Also in attendance from FAAN were Capt. Abdulaziz Mahmoud, Mba Ifeoma, FAAN Certification Secretary, Kate Idam, alongside other members of FAAN’s management team.
With preliminary engagements with ICAO expected this month and the on-site validation slated for April, stakeholders expressed confidence that sustained collaboration, timely interventions and coordinated efforts across the aviation sector will deliver a successful outcome for Nigeria’s aviation safety oversight system.
