NCAA pledges full commitment to state safety programme implementation, Says Capt. Najomo
By Dooyum Naadzenga
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has reaffirmed the authority’s dedication to fully implementing the State Safety Programme (SSP) for Nigeria upon its finalization. This commitment was made during the closing ceremony of the ICAO-West and Central Africa (WACAF) Regional Office’s assistance mission, held from March 24-28, 2025, at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja.
The SSP is a comprehensive framework of regulations and activities designed to enhance safety in civil aviation, mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and tailored to each member state. It focuses on improving safety performance and addressing identified risks in aviation.
Capt. Najomo highlighted the progress Nigeria has made in the SSP process, stating, “Nigeria has initiated its SSP processes and has made tremendous strides towards full implementation. We have published safety management regulations in Part 20 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and developed draft documents for the SSP manual and National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP).”
READ ALSO: Bills for Death Penalty Review, LG Reform, Others Pass Second Reading
The DGCA acknowledged the invaluable guidance from Ms. Sonia Freitas, the Regional Officer for Safety Implementation at the WACAF Office, who reviewed Nigeria’s Gap Analysis and SSP Implementation Plan. This feedback will assist the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in aligning with state safety requirements outlined in Annex 19.
Furthermore, Capt. Najomo noted the support provided by Ms. Jailza Sylvia, Executive Director of BAGASOO, in refining the documentation necessary for SSP implementation.
In a related statement, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., Director-General/CEO of the NSIB, emphasized the mission’s significance for regional collaboration in enhancing aviation safety across Africa. “This partnership exemplifies the strength of collective efforts in overcoming the industry’s complex challenges. The NSIB, in close collaboration with the NCAA, will diligently address the findings and recommendations from this mission,” he assured.
