The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that there is the need to fashion out strategies to address emerging threats while maximising the use of airstrips to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
The director general of the Authority, Capt Chris Najomo made the declaration at a one-day ‘Airstrip Owners/ Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme’ held yesterday in Lagos under the theme ‘Enhancing safety, compliance and collaboration of efficient airstrip operations.’
Najomo emphasised that “airstrips play vital roles in connecting remote communities, supporting emergency services and promoting economic development.”
He added that airstrips “ensuring their safety, regulatory compliance and proper integration into Nigeria’s management system is a national priority.”
The director general further stated that although the generic term aerodrome includes airstrip, “there is need to develop specific regulatory policies that focuses on the peculiarities of airstrip development and operations.”
He disclosed that there were about 92 airstrips (operational, non-operational and some under rehabilitation/new constructions) in the country based on the existing NCAA airstrip database.
Among the 92 airstrips, Najomo said 68 are owned by the federal government airstrips and are being managed by the ministry of aviation and aerospace development while 24 belong to individuals and private organisations.
Interestingly, he said, a few of the airstrips were already up to date with their valid operational permits.
Quoting Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the CAA 2022, Najomo said the NCAA ids empowered to certify and grant permits to conduct aerodrome operations in Nigeria and to establish minimum safety standards for the design, operation and maintenance of aerodrome.
He announced that as part of the moves to fulfilling the mandate “two of our international Airports were recertified late last year and we are working to certify others soon.”
Beyond that, he said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) “has been apprised that effective from 1st January 2026 local airports without appropriate permits under its management would be sanctioned accordingly.”
“This is not a threat but a collective resolve,” he added.
Najomo said the aviation landscape “has changed drastically in the recent years, so the regulatory strategies must necessarily align with the realities of the season for a more impactful result.”
In his remarks, the director, aerodrome and airspace standards, Mr Balang Godwin said there is the need for deeper engagement of NCAA with the ministry to streamline the operator and regulator status for effective management of aerodromes.
