A significant leadership reshuffle at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sparked industry-wide discussions, with sources linking the move directly to serious concerns over safety oversight and alleged procedural compromises within a key department.
Leadership Changes Target Critical Safety Directorate
The reshuffle, approved by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was announced over the weekend and affects critical safety departments. While officially described as routine administrative adjustments, insiders assert the changes are a direct intervention. The primary focus is the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS), described as the NCAA's most sensitive safety unit.
Under the new arrangement, Godwin Balang, formerly the Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, has been redeployed to head DAWS. He formally assumed the role on Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja. Replacing him is Alhaji Ahmad Abba, who was moved from his position as Director of Special Duties at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Allegations of Regulatory Laxity and Compromised Procedures
The redeployment of Balang is seen as an effort to tighten control over a department accused of regulatory laxity. A ministry source emphasized the critical nature of the unit, stating, "The airworthiness department is where safety either stands or collapses. When leadership is changed at that level, it is rarely accidental."
Industry documents reveal troubling allegations against senior management in DAWS. They are accused of approving Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMOs) without conducting rigorous audits and certifying aircraft that were not properly maintained. Key standard procedures for both foreign and local AMO approvals were reportedly weakened or bypassed.
These procedures include:
- On-site inspections
- Facility verification
- Personnel competency checks
This laxity potentially allowed aircraft with questionable maintenance histories to operate in Nigerian airspace, a practice sources warned could have fatal consequences if unchecked.
Recent Incidents Add Urgency to Safety Overhaul
The allegations gained heightened urgency following a series of aircraft incidents investigated by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board (NSIB).
On December 14, 2025, a Hawker 800XP aircraft with registration 5N-ISB crash-landed at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport due to a landing gear anomaly. Eight people were on board. Just two days later, on December 16, 2025, a Cessna 172 aircraft (5N-ASR) crashed on approach to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded in either event.
These incidents followed an earlier accident on August 1, 2023, involving a Jabiru J430 aircraft (5N-CCQ). It was reported that the crash occurred shortly after the aircraft was issued a Special Certificate of Airworthiness. This certification was among several allegedly granted without exhaustive technical scrutiny, according to findings.
The reshuffle, therefore, appears to be a strategic move by the aviation ministry to restore rigor and integrity to Nigeria's aircraft certification and maintenance oversight processes, aiming to prevent future safety lapses.
