The 92 airstrips regulatory overhaul prioritizes size-specific permits, emergency response integration, and rural development. Only a fraction currently hold valid permits, exacerbating safety risks.
BY ANTHONY OMOH
Nigeria’s aviation sector is set to transform 92 airstrips through a sweeping regulatory overhaul. Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, announced tightened oversight anchored in the Civil Aviation Act 2022. The move targets crumbling infrastructure, illegal operations, and stalled economic potential.
“These airstrips are lifelines for rural communities,” said NCAA Director General Captain Chris Najomo. He emphasized tiered safety rules replacing rigid international standards. The 92 airstrips regulatory overhaul prioritizes size-specific permits, emergency response integration, and rural development. Only a fraction currently hold valid permits, exacerbating safety risks.
Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the NCAA, Engr. Godwin Gyang Balang, stressed collaboration. “Section 71 of the Civil Aviation Act 2022 mandates accountability,” he said. Sixty-eight federally managed airstrips and 24 private ones require streamlined oversight. Balang warned unlicensed airports face sanctions by 2026, calling it a “collective resolve, not a threat.”
The summit united state governors, private operators, and global experts. Discussions focused on funding gaps, outdated infrastructure, and permit delays. Niger State representatives hailed new airstrips as trade catalysts. Conversely, private operators cited firefighting gear shortages and poor lighting.
Transitioning from “stick-wielding” to partnership, the NCAA aims to fast-track upgrades. Audits have begun, with non-compliant operators risking penalties. “Safety isn’t negotiable,” Najomo declared, while Balang advocated digital feedback channels. Customized regulations, due by early 2025, will align with the Aviation Minister’s growth agenda.
Meanwhile, two international airports were recertified in late 2024. This progress underscores the 92 airstrips regulatory overhaul as a national priority. The NCAA seeks partnerships to convert dilapidated strips into hubs for healthcare, agriculture, and tourism.
“For a century, we focused on planes and pilots,” Najomo said. “Now, we rebuild the ground beneath them.” The reforms aim to prove even remote runways can uplift communities.
Challenges persist, however. Ondo State officials praised initiatives but stressed funding needs. Private investors urged tax incentives for modernization. The NCAA pledged workshops to address these hurdles, ensuring regulations foster growth, not stifle it.
Balang reiterated the urgency of balancing federal and private interests. “Collaboration is non-negotiable,” he said, noting 55% of airstrips are non-operational. The summit concluded with commitments to monthly progress reviews and public dashboards for transparency.
As Nigeria’s aviation landscape evolves, the 92 airstrips regulatory overhaul symbolizes a broader shift. From enforcement to empowerment, the NCAA bets on synergy to turn forgotten runways into engines of prosperity.
