ICAO Launches Safety Validation Mission with Nigeria's NCAA

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has commenced its Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) in Nigeria, an on-site audit designed to validate the country's progress in aviation safety oversight. The mission, conducted with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), is a critical follow-up to the August-September 2023 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme - Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA), where Nigeria achieved an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 70.12%.

This validation process is a key milestone for Nigeria's aviation sector, serving as an evidence-based assessment of the corrective actions implemented by the NCAA to address deficiencies identified in the previous audit. A successful outcome could bolster the country's international standing, potentially easing operations for its carriers and reducing associated costs such as insurance premiums.

In an address, NCAA Director General Capt. Chris Najomo stated that the agency treated the 2023 findings with "utmost seriousness," developing comprehensive Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) that were subsequently validated by ICAO, providing a clear implementation roadmap.

Corrective Actions and Digitalization

The NCAA has focused heavily on the digitalization of its regulatory and safety processes. A significant step is the deployment of EMPIC as the authority's regulatory software, initially targeting the automation of personnel licensing and aeromedical processes. Full operationalization of the EMPIC system is scheduled for May 2026.

To comply with ICAO Annex 19 on Safety Management, Nigeria has also partnered with NorthWest Data Solution to deploy SMS Pro software. This system will serve as the digital backbone for the country's Safety Data Collection and Processing System (SDCPS), centralizing safety data reporting and management. This move is part of Nigeria's broader effort to establish a robust State Safety Programme (SSP) and transition towards risk-based oversight, supported by a newly established flight data center.

Enhancing Personnel and Infrastructure

Addressing ICAO's Critical Element 4 (CE-4), which mandates qualified technical personnel, the NCAA has invested significantly in its inspectorate. Over 100 flight operations and airworthiness inspectors have undergone specialized training at EASA-approved institutions in Comiso, Italy, and Dubai, UAE. Further enhancing their expertise, some inspectors are receiving On-the-Job Training (OJT) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority, a nation recognized for its high ICAO compliance.

Infrastructure has also been a focus. Capt. Najomo confirmed that Nigeria’s international aerodromes were subjected to a 5-phase certification process to ensure full compliance with ICAO Annex 14 and national regulations. Additionally, Nigeria has signed MoUs with surrounding Flight Information Regions (FIRs) to ensure safe and efficient air traffic flow across its borders.

Context and Next Steps

Nigeria’s proactive approach reflects a broader trend of regional capacity building. The MoU with Rwanda for inspector training is analogous to how Rwanda, after achieving high ICAO compliance, began providing technical assistance to other African nations. This collaborative model is also seen in ICAO's assistance to Liberia through its West and Central Africa (WACAF) Regional Office Safety Team (ROST) to resolve safety deficiencies.

Leading up to the ICVM, Nigeria hosted two ROST Assistance Missions in September 2025 and February 2026 to evaluate its progress. Capt. Najomo emphasized that the goal extends beyond merely improving the numerical EI score. "Our overarching objective is to institutionalise a resilient safety oversight system that fosters continuous improvement in safety performance," he stated. This aligns with the national government's policy of strict adherence to international safety standards.

The mission's timing coincides with the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Morocco, where ICAO formally presented Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP). This plan outlines a structured strategy for safe and sustainable aviation growth over the next two decades. For more information on the NCAA's initiatives, visit their official website.

Looking ahead, the NCAA will continue to implement its corrective actions. A key predictive milestone is the full operationalization of the EMPIC software by May 2026. The final report and updated EI score from the current ICAO ICVM are expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Why This Matters

For Nigeria, a successful ICAO validation is more than a regulatory formality. It serves as a global benchmark of its commitment to safety, which can directly impact the growth of its aviation industry. An improved safety rating can lead to fewer operational restrictions for Nigerian airlines, lower insurance premiums, and increased confidence from international partners, facilitating route expansions and codeshare agreements.