ICAO rating surpasses regional and global averages, boosting investor confidence and positioning Nigeria as an emerging aviation hub…..
President Bola Tinubu has applauded Nigeria’s landmark 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating, describing it as a defining moment for the country’s credibility in the global air transport industry.
The rating, issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), marks the highest score Nigeria has ever recorded under its safety oversight assessments. It places the country significantly ahead of both the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global benchmark of 70.4 per cent.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the achievement was announced during a debriefing session held at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja. The ICAO audit team highlighted Nigeria’s strong performance in Effective Implementation (EI), a key indicator of a country’s ability to enforce aviation safety standards.
Tinubu noted that the impressive score not only reflects improvements in regulatory oversight but also enhances Nigeria’s attractiveness to global investors, particularly in areas such as aviation infrastructure, airline operations, and maintenance services.
Since assuming office, the president has prioritized infrastructure and transportation as central pillars of economic growth. Within this framework, the aviation sector has been identified as a strategic driver capable of positioning Nigeria as a major regional and international hub.
This vision is being supported by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who has introduced a five-point reform agenda aimed at strengthening the aviation value chain. A key focus of this agenda is strict adherence to safety regulations and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s ICAO compliance rating.
While commending the ministry for the milestone, Tinubu urged stakeholders not to become complacent. He emphasized the need to carefully implement all recommendations made by ICAO auditors to ensure that Nigeria not only sustains its current standing but achieves even greater milestones in future assessments.
The International Civil Aviation Organization plays a central role in regulating global aviation standards, ensuring safe and orderly development of international air transport. Through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), the body evaluates how effectively member states manage aviation safety risks.
As a member state, Nigeria is required to align with ICAO’s global standards and continuously strengthen its safety oversight systems. The latest score underscores the country’s progress in meeting these obligations and signals a renewed confidence in its airspace management.
With this achievement, Nigeria is not only raising its profile within Africa but also reinforcing its ambition to compete on a global aviation stage where safety, reliability, and regulatory excellence remain critical benchmarks.
