Nigeria has commenced the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) aimed at strengthening its aviation safety oversight capabilities, with the exercise running from April 15 to 22, 2026.
Speaking at the opening session, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Chris Najomo, welcomed the ICAO team led by Jerome Patoureaux, describing the mission as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of global excellence in aviation safety oversight.
He stated that the core objective of the audit is to institutionalise a resilient safety oversight system that promotes continuous improvement in safety performance, in line with the Federal Government’s policy on strict compliance with international safety regulations.
According to him, this alignment is expected to enhance Nigeria’s rating with the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The DGCA explained that following the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA) conducted between August and September 2023, Nigeria undertook a comprehensive root cause analysis and developed corrective action plans. These measures, he noted, have already been validated by ICAO, providing a clear roadmap for implementation.
Najomo expressed confidence in the country’s preparedness, assuring that all necessary evidence would be presented during the mission for validation. He also appreciated the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for his consistent support towards the exercise.
He further commended directors overseeing the audit areas, the National Continuous Monitoring Coordinator (NCMC), focal persons, and other team members for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the mission.
In his response, the ICAO lead auditor, Patoureaux, said the mission is designed to assist Nigeria in addressing identified gaps and enhancing its safety oversight framework.
The ICVM will cover key audit areas including legislation and organisation (LEG/ORG), personnel licensing (PEL), operations (OPS), airworthiness (AIR), accident investigation (AIG), air navigation services (ANS), and aerodromes and ground aids (AGA). The team is also scheduled to visit the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regional office and other industry service providers.
Participants at the event included members of the NCAA management team, the NCMC, focal and alternate coordinators for the audit areas, technical experts, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and other service providers.
