By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen regulatory oversight and compliance with aviation insurance requirements in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja by the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, and the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, on behalf of the two regulatory institutions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Najomo said the agreement was built on the longstanding collaboration between the NCAA and NAICOM, particularly in assessing the adequacy and viability of insurance policies procured by aviation operators in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), 2023.
He described aviation as a paradoxical industry, noting that while it is globally recognised as the safest mode of transportation, it is also exposed to high-impact operational risks.
According to him, the development makes it necessary to strengthen aviation safety, financial resilience and regulatory compliance, while ensuring adequate protection for passengers and other stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem.
Najomo commended the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) for its diligence in developing the MoU and expressed confidence that the collaboration would deliver measurable improvements in aviation insurance compliance and regulatory oversight.
Omosehin described the agreement as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen the safety, integrity and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
He stressed that aviation insurance should not be viewed merely as a regulatory requirement, but as a critical risk-management instrument for protecting lives, property, businesses and the wider economy from aviation-related losses.
In her welcome address, the Director, Air Transport Regulation at the NCAA, Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, underscored the importance of aviation insurance to the safety, stability and sustainability of the industry.
She reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to ensuring that appropriate insurance arrangements are maintained to protect passengers, operators, third parties, cargo and other interests against liabilities arising from aviation operations.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Minister, Mr. Suleiman Kilo, as well as officials of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN).
The MoU is expected to enhance coordination between the aviation and insurance regulators, improve monitoring of insurance obligations and reinforce risk-management standards across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
