The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that out of the 92 airstrips in the country, only a few are up to date with their valid operational permits.
The NCAA stated that these 92 airstrips consist of operational, non-operational, airstrips while others are under rehabilitation/new constructions.
Director general, NCAA, Chris Najomo, disclosed this during the maiden edition of Airstrip owners/ operators Stakeholders engagement in Lagos on Monday.
According to him, among these 92 airstrips, 68 are Federal Government-owned and managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development while 24 belong to individuals and private organisations.
Najomo said this brings to the fore the need for deeper engagement of the NCAA with the Ministry to streamline the operator and regulator status for effective management.
The director general said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had been informed that effective January 1, 2026, local airports without appropriate permits under its management would be sanctioned accordingly.
“Besides the basic AGA processes for permits, the importance of Aviation security will be emphasised. There is a need to fashion out strategies to address emerging threats while maximizing the use of the airstrips to contribute significantly to our socio-economic development as a nation,” he said.
According to Najomo, although the generic term aerodrome includes airstrip, there is the need to develop specific regulatory policies that focuses on the peculiarities of airstrip development and operations.
“At the inception of this administration the Minister unveiled agenda for the industry to which the DGCA had to sign performance bond. In the bid to implement, one of the key deliverables for the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards is holding an airstrip owners/ operators’ engagement with a view to developing the sector for our common good.
“Recall that Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the CAA 2022 empowers the Authority to certify and grant permits to conduct Aerodrome operations in Nigeria and to establish minimum safety standards for the design, operation, and maintenance of Aerodrome. This engagement is an alignment with this mandate to advance airstrip regulation in Nigeria,” the DG said.
He hinted that two of its international airports were recertified late last year and the agency was working to certify others soon.
Najomo further pointed out that the aviation landscape has changed drastically in the recent years so the regulatory strategies must necessarily align with the realities of the season for a more impactful result.
“We would therefore need to tweak our regulations and other guiding documents accordingly. This is the crux of this engagement.
“We are conscious of the fact that one day is obviously not enough to exhaust discussions on this important subject. We’ll therefore be looking forward to receiving further input through writing, phone calls, social media platforms etc.
“Undoubtedly Regulatory duties have long gone past the threshold of ‘stick wielding’, it is strategic collaboration for effective results without compromising standards,” he added.
