The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has pledged to sustain recent improvements in the aviation sector following Nigeria’s record aviation safety performance, after the country achieved a 91.45 per cent score in the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has undergone a series of regulatory and operational reforms in recent years aimed at strengthening safety oversight, improving infrastructure, and aligning with international aviation standards.
The ICAO conducts periodic audits through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme and Coordinated Validation Missions to assess compliance with global safety requirements. Nigeria’s latest performance reflects significant progress compared to previous assessments, where the country recorded lower compliance levels.
The improvement has been attributed to coordinated efforts across aviation agencies under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, including FAAN, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Nigeria recorded a 91.45 per cent aviation safety score following ICAO’s latest Coordinated Validation Mission conducted in 2026, marking a substantial increase from the 70.23 per cent recorded in 2023. The result places Nigeria above the global average benchmark of 70.4 per cent and reflects improved compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
FAAN, in a statement, described the achievement as a collective outcome driven by policy direction, infrastructure upgrades, personnel training, and strengthened safety oversight systems across the aviation sector.
The agency noted that key improvements were recorded in aerodrome and ground aids operations, where Nigeria achieved a significant rise in compliance levels compared to previous audits.
According to FAAN, all five international airports in the country have now been certified or recertified, reflecting sustained regulatory and operational improvements. The authority further highlighted the certification of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as a milestone that contributed to Nigeria achieving full certification of its international airports for the first time.
FAAN commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for policy leadership, and also acknowledged the role of the NCAA Director-General, Chris Najomo, in strengthening regulatory oversight and inter-agency coordination.
The improved aviation safety score signals strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s aviation regulatory system and operational safety standards. It also reflects progress in aligning national aviation practices with global benchmarks set by ICAO.
For FAAN, sustaining these gains will require continued investment in infrastructure maintenance, staff capacity development, and safety compliance monitoring across airports nationwide. The development is also expected to enhance Nigeria’s international aviation profile, potentially improving airline operations, passenger confidence, and foreign aviation partnerships.
