The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has reiterated its dedication to fully implementing the State Safety Programme upon completion.
The announcement was made by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, according to an official statement.
The Safety Management System (SSP) is a comprehensive set of guidelines and procedures aimed at improving aviation safety. Established by the International Civil Aviation Organization, this system is customized for individual member states to effectively implement safety protocols and mitigate potential hazards within their airspace operations. The support mission took place between March 24 and 28, 2025, at the NCAA headquarters located in Abuja.
Najomo recognized the considerable advancement Nigeria has achieved in setting up the SSP and addressing the existing discrepancies within the draft document.
“Nigeria has started its SSP process and achieved significant advancements toward complete implementation. The country released safety management standards in part 20 of the Nigerian CARs, created a preliminary version of the SSP handbook, drafted the nation’s Aviation Safety Strategy (NASP), along with multiple guidelines for both aviation companies and CAA inspectors regarding the evaluation and ongoing monitoring of service providers’ SMS,” he noted.
Sonia Freitas, who serves as the Regional Officer for Safety Implementation at the West and Central Africa Office, examined Nigeria’s Gap Analysis and SSP Implementation Plan. Her review focused on ensuring adherence to ICAO Annex 19 requirements. Additionally, she offered more detailed instructions to both the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau regarding the necessary actions for complete implementation.
Furthermore, Jailza Sylvia, the Executive Director of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency, offered support with the procedural documentation required for implementing the program.
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., highlighted the significance of collaborative efforts across regions to improve aviation safety.
“This partnership underscores the strength of collaborative endeavors in tackling the intricate issues within our sector. The NSIB, working closely alongside the NCAA, will meticulously address the insights and suggestions stemming from this initiative,” he affirmed.
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