Port Harcourt, Kano airports get full NCAA certification

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fully certified the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

Speaking recently during the presentation of certificates to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, managing director, FAAN, said the airport’s certification is a testament to resilience, dedication, and a shared commitment to the highest standards of aviation safety in Nigeria.

According to Kuku, the journey to the certification was rigorous, defined by a series of meticulous inspections, constructive dialogue, and the diligent exchange of corrective action notices and plans.

“The NCAA, in its vital role as our regulator, was not just an overseer but a crucial partner in ensuring our strict compliance with standard and recommended practices.

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“Your team provided clear guidance, rigorous scrutiny, and invaluable technical counsel throughout the entire process. Conversely, our FAAN teams in Kano and Port Harcourt, supported by our headquarters, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to meeting and exceeding these stringent requirements,” the FAAN MD said.

She noted that the synergistic partnership, where the regulator guides and the operator implements, is the very model of how we can collectively elevate Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.

“Today’s certificates are, therefore, a shared trophy, earned through a collaborative spirit that puts national interest and safety above all else.

“We receive these certificates with humility and a clear understanding of the responsibility they confer. We acknowledge the Authority’s note regarding the outstanding items in the corrective action plan. Let me assure the NCAA of our strict adherence to this corrective action plan,” she said.

Kuku said FAAN has already activated dedicated teams and processes to address them with urgency and precision, adding that it views this not as a footnote, but as the next critical phase in our commitment to continuous improvement.

“Our goal is absolute compliance, and we will not rest until every single item is conclusively resolved,” she added.

She said the certification of these two major international gateways is a strategic pillar of growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector, as it reinforces confidence for airlines, assures passengers of our commitment to world-class safety, and enhances Nigeria’s standing within the global aviation community.

“It is a clear signal that our airports are operated with integrity, professionalism, and in strict adherence to international benchmarks,” she added.

She commended the leadership of Chris Najomo, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for its professionalism and for ensuring the process is successful.