FAAN, NCAA Attain Major Safety Milestone as Kano, Port Harcourt Airports Receive Aerodrome Certification
Nigeria’s aviation sector recorded a significant regulatory and safety milestone on Friday as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) formally issued Aerodrome Certificates to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt.
The certification ceremony, held on December 19, 2025, marked the successful completion of a rigorous evaluation process and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to aligning its airport operations with international civil aviation standards.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, described the development as a defining moment for Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, noting that it reflected years of hard work, resilience and sustained inter-agency collaboration.
Mrs Kuku, who spoke on behalf of FAAN’s Board, Management and staff, expressed profound gratitude to the NCAA and its Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, for what she described as a thorough, transparent and professionally guided certification process.
According to her, the issuance of the certificates went far beyond regulatory compliance, symbolising a collective commitment to aviation safety, operational excellence and institutional accountability.
“The journey to certification was demanding and comprehensive, involving meticulous inspections, detailed technical assessments, constructive engagements and the systematic implementation of corrective action plans,” she said.
She explained that throughout the process, the NCAA functioned not only as a regulator but also as a critical partner, providing technical guidance, clear regulatory direction and continuous oversight to ensure that all requirements were fully understood and implemented.
In turn, FAAN’s airport teams in Kano and Port Harcourt, supported by technical and management staff at the Authority’s headquarters, demonstrated strong resolve and professionalism in meeting the stringent conditions set for aerodrome certification.
Mrs Kuku noted that the successful outcome illustrated the value of effective synergy between regulators and operators, stressing that such collaboration was essential to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“These certificates are the product of a shared vision and collective effort. They represent what is possible when institutions work together with safety, national interest and global best practice as their guiding principles,” she stated.
While formally receiving the certificates, the FAAN chief acknowledged that some items remained outstanding within the corrective action framework, assuring the NCAA that FAAN was fully committed to addressing them promptly.
She disclosed that dedicated implementation teams had already been mobilised to ensure the timely resolution of all outstanding observations, adding that FAAN regarded the post-certification phase as a continuation of its commitment to continuous improvement rather than a conclusion.
The certification of the two airports, she said, would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s aviation industry, strengthening airline confidence, improving passenger assurance and enhancing the country’s standing within the global aviation community.
Mrs Kuku further noted that the development reinforced FAAN’s resolve to operate its airports in strict compliance with international safety and operational benchmarks, while positioning Nigeria as a credible and responsible player in global aviation.
In her closing remarks, she commended the NCAA leadership and staff for their professionalism and technical rigour, describing their role as central to the achievement.
She also applauded FAAN personnel across various departments, including operations, engineering, firefighting, security, air traffic services and maintenance, whose dedication ensured the successful completion of the certification process.
Special commendation was extended to the Directorate of Operations, led by Captain Abdullahi Mahmood, for its leadership and coordination throughout the exercise.
Mrs Kuku concluded by thanking industry partners and stakeholders for their support, expressing confidence that the certification milestone would be sustained and further built upon to advance safety, efficiency and growth within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
