The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the licenses of two ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, following a serious safety protocol breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, when the pilots initiated departure procedures without obtaining mandatory pre-departure clearance, posing potential risks to ground operations and other airport users.
According to Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, “the NCAA views this incident with utmost seriousness”. He emphasised the agency’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s aviation sector remains safe, secure, and compliant with national and international standards.
“This swift enforcement action is part of our unwavering commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation sector remains safe, secure, and compliant with both national and international standards”.
The NCAA has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for safety violations and reassured stakeholders that it will continue to strengthen oversight, enforce compliance, and enhance public confidence in the nation’s air transport system.
The suspension of the pilots’ licenses will remain in effect pending the outcome of a full-scale investigation into the incident.