The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has reaffirmed the full commitment of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to upholding the highest standards of safety across all aspects of civil aviation, declaring that safety remains non-negotiable.
City Business News reports that Capt. Najomo made this declaration at the 1st Joint National Apron Safety Operations Workshop held in Lagos between January 12 and 13, 2026.
He was represented at the event by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Alhaji Ahmad Abba.
While highlighting the critical role of apron safety in aviation operations, the DGCA described it as the heartbeat of airport ground activities, stressing that it is not a peripheral issue but central to the integrity and efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation system.
According to him, lapses in apron operations can have far-reaching consequences for safety, operational efficiency, and public confidence in the aviation sector.
Capt. Najomo commended the organisers of the Aircraft Marshaller Safety Consultative Forum and the Joint Apron Safety Operations Workshop for bringing industry stakeholders together to address one of the most critical areas of aviation safety—apron operations. He noted that the initiative aligns with the NCAA’s vision of a proactive, collaborative, and sustainable Safety Management System (SMS) culture.
“Our mandate is to regulate, enforce, and promote safety, and apron operations are no exception,” the DGCA stated.
He urged participants to come up with practical and actionable recommendations that would directly inform and strengthen the NCAA’s regulatory framework. He also reiterated the Authority’s readiness to continue working closely with key aviation stakeholders to enhance safety standards on the apron.
Capt. Najomo assured of continued collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), handling companies, and other industry players to ensure safer and more efficient apron operations nationwide.
He expressed optimism that sustained cooperation among stakeholders would further strengthen Nigeria’s aviation safety architecture and support the long-term growth of the sector.
