Nigeria’s aviation sector has achieved a landmark 91.45% Effective Implementation (EI) score in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM), marking a decisive turnaround from its 2023 safety performance and positioning the country among the top in aviation safety compliance globally.
The result was announced on April 22, 2026, during the closing briefing of the week-long ICVM audit held at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Corporate Headquarters in Abuja from April 15 to 22. The mission independently assessed Nigeria’s capacity to meet ICAO’s safety oversight standards, identifying internal strengths and weaknesses while also highlighting external opportunities and threats that could impact the country’s mandate for safe aircraft operations and public protection.
Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, said the outcome reflected years of deliberate reforms and targeted corrective action following the 2023 Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA). In that 2023 exercise, Nigeria scored 70.12%, falling below the global safety standard and prompting immediate action from aviation authorities.
Rather than treat the 2023 result as a setback, the NCAA conducted a thorough root cause analysis and developed a comprehensive series of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs). Those plans were reviewed and validated by ICAO, providing a clear roadmap for implementation across all critical areas of safety oversight. The progress made during that process formed the foundation for the strong showing in the 2026 ICVM.
While noting that the validation results will still undergo further review by ICAO’s Safety and Air Navigation Oversight Audit Section, Najomo expressed confidence that Nigeria’s final status on the Protocol Questions (PQs) will improve significantly. He attributed that optimism to the evidence gathered, the corrective actions already implemented, and the recommendations now in motion.
Najomo commended both the on-site and remote ICAO auditors for their professionalism throughout the exercise and gave assurance that Nigeria will carefully review and implement every recommendation made. He also extended gratitude to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development under Hon. Minister Festus Keyamo, for its unwavering backing, which he said was instrumental to the success of the high-level mission.
The DGCA further acknowledged the contributions of key institutions and stakeholders, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), NAMA, service providers, airline operators, and the entire NCAA team comprising directors, the National Continuous Monitoring Coordinator (NCMC), focal points, and technical staff. He also recognised the invaluable support of BAGASOO for deploying its experts before and during the mission.
The 91.45% score not only surpasses Nigeria’s previous 70.12% from 2023 but also exceeds both the West African regional average of 61.1% and the global average of 70.4%. That jump signals stronger safety oversight, improved regulatory processes, and a more resilient aviation framework — factors that are critical to attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s standing in international aviation.
For Nigeria, the result is more than a number. It validates the country’s commitment to aligning with global safety standards and demonstrates that structured reform, backed by political will and technical execution, can produce measurable outcomes in a sector as complex as aviation.