President Bola Tinubu has praised Nigeria for achieving a historic 91.45% aviation safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), describing it as a major milestone for the country’s aviation sector.
ICAO, a United Nations agency responsible for global air navigation standards, evaluates countries through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which measures how effectively nations manage aviation safety risks.
According to recent audit results presented at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria recorded its highest-ever Effective Implementation (EI) score of 91.45%. This figure significantly exceeds both the West African regional average of 61.1% and the global average of 70.4%.
The President noted that the achievement strengthens international confidence in Nigeria’s aviation system and enhances its appeal as a destination for investment in airline operations, infrastructure, and maintenance services.
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to positioning the aviation sector as a key driver of economic growth, with a focus on safety, security, and efficiency. He commended the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for the accomplishment and encouraged continued adherence to ICAO standards.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had earlier outlined a reform agenda prioritising strict safety compliance and sustained improvement in Nigeria’s global aviation ranking.
The President urged stakeholders to implement all recommendations from ICAO auditors to not only maintain but further improve the country’s safety rating.
