The official inauguration of six Technical Working Groups was the major highlight of the regional workshop on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Director General Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo, carried out the inauguration during the Nigeria Engagement on SAF, held on the final two days.
The workshop took place in Lagos from May 5 to 9, 2025. It was organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency under the ACT-SAF Africa–India Project.
The six Technical Working Groups were established to guide Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel roadmap. Each group will focus on a specific area, namely: policy and regulation, feedstock and production, funding and investment, technology and innovation, environmental and social impact, and infrastructure and logistics.
In a statement signed by Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA said these working groups will provide technical leadership. They are expected to help shape national strategy, attract financing, and align Nigeria with global sustainability goals.
Participants at the workshop included stakeholders from 14 African countries, international organisations, SAF project developers, and financial institutions. The theme, “Access to Finance for SAF Production,” addressed challenges related to SAF project bankability and sustainable funding solutions.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Captain Najomo, Regional Manager NCAA Lagos Office, Barrister Mrs. Bukola Teriba, highlighted the importance of financing SAF. She stated that SAF is critical in reducing aviation’s environmental footprint and in achieving the International Civil Aviation Organization’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal.
The workshop was coordinated by the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations of the NCAA. It offered a platform to explore strategies for financing SAF initiatives and strengthening regional cooperation in sustainable aviation.
Nigeria’s commitment to a Sustainable Aviation Fuel roadmap reflects a growing focus on environmental stewardship and long-term innovation in the air transport sector.
