Nigeria's NCAA Aims for Higher ICAO Safety Score as New Audit Begins
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has voiced strong optimism about achieving a higher Effective Implementation (EI) score as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) commences a comprehensive audit of Nigeria's aviation safety systems. This audit is a critical follow-up to the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) audit conducted from August to September 2023, during which Nigeria recorded an EI score of 70.12 percent.
Commitment to Enhanced Safety Oversight
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM), NCAA Director General Captain Chris Najomo emphasized the authority's unwavering commitment to improving safety oversight capabilities. He stated that upon receiving the results of the previous audit, the NCAA conducted a thorough root cause analysis and promptly developed comprehensive Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) to address identified deficiencies.
Captain Najomo highlighted that through the implementation of these CAPs, the NCAA has successfully deployed the Effective Participation of Member States in ICAO (EPMIC) regulatory software. This automation specifically targets personnel licensing and aeromedical processes, streamlining operations and enhancing compliance.
Technological and Training Advancements
During this period, the NCAA entered into an agreement with NorthWest Data Solution for the deployment of SMS Pro software. This digital solution centralizes and digitizes the safety data reporting and management system, ensuring full compliance with ICAO Annex 19 requirements for a Safety Data Collection and Processing System (SDCPS).
In fulfilling responsibilities under ICAO Critical Element 4, which focuses on qualified technical personnel, Captain Najomo disclosed that approximately 100 flight operations and airworthiness inspectors underwent specialized training. This training took place at an European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-approved institution in Comiso, Italy, and another organization in Dubai, UAE.
Furthermore, he revealed that some inspectors are currently undergoing On-the-Job Training (OJT) coordinated under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority. This initiative aims to qualify inspectors for specialized authorizations, complementing the regular annual training plans developed specifically for NCAA's aviation safety inspectors.
Focus on Institutional Resilience
Captain Najomo emphasized that Nigeria's participation in these audits and validation missions is not merely about improving numerical EI scores. Instead, the goal is to institutionalize a resilient safety oversight system that fosters continuous improvement in safety performance. This aligns with the Federal Government's policy on strict adherence to international safety regulations to elevate Nigeria's ICAO rating.
ICAO's Assessment Process
The ICAO team lead, Jerome Patoureaux, outlined that the mission in Nigeria involves a three-phase process: preparation, on-site evaluation, and reporting. Auditors are reviewing Nigeria's compliance with key safety standards, including legal frameworks, personnel capacity, and enforcement systems. The mission also seeks to identify any Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) requiring urgent action. Findings will be finalized in a report after evidence submission and a closing meeting.
