BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday welcomed Nigeria’s impressive 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), describing it as a major milestone for the country’s aviation sector.
ICAO, a United Nations agency, oversees global aviation standards and ensures the safe and orderly development of international air transport through its regulatory frameworks and audits.
Under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), ICAO evaluates member states on their ability to manage aviation safety risks using Effective Implementation (EI) scores.
At a recent debriefing held at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja, ICAO auditors announced that Nigeria achieved an EI score of 91.45 per cent—its highest rating since joining the programme in 1999.
The score places Nigeria significantly above both the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent, reinforcing international confidence in the country’s aviation system and regulatory oversight.
President Tinubu noted that the achievement aligns with his administration’s priority of strengthening infrastructure and transportation as key drivers of economic growth.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leading aviation hub that meets and exceeds international standards.
In line with this vision, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has outlined a five-point agenda for the sector, with strict adherence to safety regulations and continuous improvement in ICAO ratings as a top priority.
The President commended the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its agencies for the achievement, stating that it enhances Nigeria’s attractiveness for investment in aviation infrastructure, maintenance services, and airline operations.
He also urged stakeholders in the sector to sustain the momentum by fully implementing ICAO’s recommendations to maintain and further improve the country’s safety rating.
