Fidelia Okafor

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has selected Lagos and Abuja airports for certification.

The objective was to follow up on the African-Indian Ocean (AFI) Plan project and assist Nigeria with technical guidance towards the certification process.

The world aviation regulatory body has commenced the implementation of the AFI Plan Aerodrome Certification Project for both aerodromes.

The NCAA is yet to certify any of the 22 airports in the country because the airports had been unable to meet the requirements on the regulator’s checklist particularly in the area of security and safety in the last 20 years.

NCAA had never certified any airport in the country since 2006 when the law that gave it autonomy to certify airports in line with international regulations was promulgated.

Regional Director of ICAO, Western and Central African (WACAF), Mam Sait Jallow, the team leader who was accompanied by ICAO Regional Officer, Nika Manzi was in the country to begin the processes. They met with the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman at the certification meeting.