By TUNDE MOSHOOD
In every civilized democracy, criticism is vital to growth. But when it becomes reckless, baseless, or politically motivated, it endangers both institutions and public trust.
This is why the recent remarks by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, cannot go unchallenged. The Senator alleged that “pilots and cabin crew in Nigeria are involved in substance abuse and accused regulators of failing to conduct proper checks. His sweeping claims were made on the floor of the Senate without evidence, research, or verification.
Such comments are not only careless; they are dangerous. They have the power to cause panic among air travelers and weaken confidence in an industry that has worked tirelessly to uphold international safety and operational standards.
Nigeria’s aviation industry operates under strict global regulations. Pilots, cabin crew, and all licensed personnel undergo mandatory medical, psychological, and substance screening as required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). These procedures align with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), leaving no room for speculation.
To claim otherwise, as Orji Uzor Kalu has done, is to insult thousands of dedicated Nigerian professionals who ensure passenger safety daily.
Orji Uzor Kalu and the Weight of Leadership
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s unfounded allegations about substance abuse in Nigeria’s aviation sector expose the dangers of careless political speech.
Constructive criticism strengthens institutions. Reckless statements, however, weaken them. When such remarks come from an elder statesman like Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor, businessman, and serving senator, they become even more damaging.
Leadership demands restraint. A man of his standing should make informed contributions that build public trust, not comments that distort facts or diminish the hard-earned reputation of the aviation sector. It is one thing to demand accountability; it is another to spread fear through unverified claims.
Ironically, this is not the first time Orji Uzor Kalu has targeted Nigeria’s aviation sector with controversy. Yet, his latest statement is particularly troubling because it unfairly paints an entire industry, one employing thousands of Nigerians and driving economic development in a false and negative light.
The question then arises: are these comments born of genuine concern or lingering frustration from his failed venture in aviation?
A Look Back at Slok Air
Many Nigerians may not remember that Orji Uzor Kalu once owned an airline, Slok Air, established in 1996. Despite being founded with Nigerian resources, the airline’s base of operations was in The Gambia, not Nigeria. Slok Air began operations with six Boeing 737-200 aircraft, flying to several West African destinations including Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
By 2008, the airline had collapsed due to financial troubles, lawsuits, and management crises. Since then, Orji Uzor Kalu has often made controversial remarks about Nigeria’s aviation management, sometimes in ways that suggest bitterness about his own airline’s failure to succeed.
But today’s Nigerian aviation system bears little resemblance to that past. It has been transformed through discipline, structure, and global reform under the current leadership.
Aviation Reforms Under Festus Keyamo
Under the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, the aviation industry has entered a new era. His leadership has redefined regulatory discipline, restored investor confidence, and improved public accountability.
Nigeria’s compliance with international aircraft leasing standards has been strengthened through the implementation of the IDERA Framework. New Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) have been negotiated to ensure equal benefits for Nigerian carriers while expanding international connectivity.
Keyamo’s administration has also modernized airport infrastructure, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, while introducing a new Consumer Protection Portal to ensure passengers’ rights are respected. Equally significant, regulatory oversight has been unified across NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NSIB, and NiMET to align with global aviation performance standards.
These achievements contradict every claim made by Orji Uzor Kalu. They show an industry working toward excellence, not negligence.
Leadership and Responsibility in Speech
Aviation is one of the most sensitive sectors in any nation. A single careless statement can erode public confidence and distort international perception. When a national figure like Orji Uzor Kalu speaks without restraint, it undermines the progress achieved through years of discipline and reform.
Nigeria’s aviation professionals: pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and cabin crew continue to uphold the nation’s reputation with dedication and professionalism. Their efforts deserve recognition and encouragement, not defamation.
As Minister Festus Keyamo continues his reforms, Nigeria’s aviation community must focus on innovation, safety, and performance—not on defending itself from baseless political attacks. The industry has come too far to be dragged backward by unsubstantiated claims.
Because when leadership speaks, the nation listens. And when leaders’ mis-speak, the nation trembles.
Tunde Moshood is the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
