The Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN) has expressed concern over the slow implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 10106 by Nigerian airlines, warning that continued non-compliance could expose operators to adverse international safety audit findings and weaken flight safety.
Speaking at the 2026 FLIDAN Annual Conference in Lagos, themed “Safety and Efficiency: The Flight Dispatcher’s Role”, Secretary of the Association’s Board of Trustees, Senior Flight Dispatcher David Olatunji, said many airlines are yet to implement the operational and organisational changes required under ICAO Document 10106, particularly within their Operations Control Centres (OCCs).
According to him, the document establishes globally harmonised standards covering the structure and responsibilities of OCCs, shared operational authority between pilots and flight dispatchers, risk-based operational decision-making, fatigue management, competency-based training and other critical safety provisions.
Olatunji noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with inadequate dispatcher authority, poor documentation of shared decision-making processes, insufficient competency-based training and limited deployment of data analytics for operational control.
“There is also limited use of data analytics for operational control. This gap must be closed urgently. Regulatory pressure is increasing globally, and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind”, he said.
He warned that airlines failing to align with the ICAO standards risk unfavourable outcomes during the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
“Non-compliance affects safety, especially during abnormal and emergency operations. Efficiency suffers when Operations Control Centres are not structured according to modern standards, while dispatcher professionalism is undermined when the OCC is not aligned with ICAO expectations”, he added.
Olatunji stressed that strengthening Operations Control Centres and fully implementing ICAO Document 10106 would enhance operational efficiency, improve risk management and reinforce Nigeria’s aviation safety framework.
Also speaking at the conference, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, urged airline operators to give flight dispatchers a more prominent role in safety management and operational decision-making.
Represented by the Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, Capt. Donald Spiff, Najomo said dispatchers occupy a strategic position in identifying operational hazards and supporting informed decisions before and during flight operations.
“Their unique position enables them to identify operational hazards, contribute to risk assessment and support informed decision-making before and during operations.
“We therefore encourage operators to actively involve dispatchers in safety reporting, enquiries, investigations and continuous safety improvement initiatives”, he said.
Najomo added that the future of aviation would increasingly depend on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data analytics and advanced operational technologies, making the role of flight dispatchers even more critical.
In his welcome address, FLIDAN President, Mr. Daniel Ayuba, described flight dispatchers as strategic partners in airline operational control rather than merely support personnel.
He said the association remained committed to promoting professionalism through improved training, stronger Operations Control Centres, competency-based development and the implementation of ICAO standards across the industry.
Ayuba called on airlines, regulators, training organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that the conference’s recommendations translate into concrete actions that strengthen Safety Management Systems, modernise operational technologies and improve flight safety and efficiency nationwide.
He emphasised that every operational decision made by flight dispatchers has the potential to save lives, optimise airline operations and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector, urging stakeholders to work together to position the country as a model of operational excellence in global aviation.