NCAA, ICAO Train Stakeholders on ICAO Audit Improvement

In a bid to improve the outcomes of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation security audit and strengthen Nigeria’s AVSEC oversight, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and ICAO, has launched a five-day national quality control workshop. This move aims to achieve ICAO audit improvement strategies.

The national training, which began on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the NCAA Regional Office in Lagos, is focused on enhancing risk-based decision-making, crisis preparedness, and quality control mechanisms. These measures are critical to improving Nigeria’s performance under ICAO’s Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA), especially following the audit held in March 2024.

Director General Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo—represented at the opening by NCAA Lagos Regional Manager, Barrister Olubukola Aduragbemi Terriba—said the workshop is not just procedural. Rather, it is a targeted response to security oversight gaps identified by ICAO’s previous audit.

“The training is designed to enable stakeholders develop actionable strategies to improve the outcomes of ICAO’s security audit,” Captain Najomo stated. “This includes strengthening quality control measures, managing AVSEC-related crises more efficiently, and ensuring all aviation security measures are grounded in comprehensive risk assessment.”

According to him, developing ICAO audit improvement strategies requires practical knowledge of audit expectations, risk management, and proactive surveillance techniques. He added that the workshop was a key part of NCAA’s roadmap to ensure stronger national compliance with Annex 17 of the ICAO Convention, which governs aviation security standards.

ICAO’s Aviation Security Regional Officer for West and Central Africa, Mr. Ademola Oladele, also addressed the gathering. He noted ICAO’s continued support to member states and emphasized Nigeria’s vital role as a growing aviation hub within the region.

“Nigeria is one of the most active aviation centres in Africa,” Oladele said. “It is essential that its AVSEC oversight framework meets global standards to protect civil aviation from unlawful interference.”

The training brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including NCAA’s Director of Aviation Security, Dr. Ben Omogo; officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); representatives from commercial airlines; and technical personnel from NCAA’s AVSEC department.

The workshop’s objectives include aligning Nigeria’s AVSEC systems with international norms, promoting risk-informed surveillance plans, and preparing for follow-up audits more effectively. It also fosters collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders to build a more resilient aviation security ecosystem.

By the end of the programme, participants are expected to apply the acquired knowledge to real-time oversight, develop internal quality control procedures, and coordinate more efficient responses to potential threats.

With such strategic training in place, the NCAA aims to enhance its readiness for future ICAO reviews and ensure the safe, secure movement of passengers and cargo through Nigerian airspace.

Ultimately, the drive for ICAO audit improvement strategies underscores Nigeria’s commitment to aviation security excellence through continuous learning and partnership with global institutions.