Najomo Urges Stronger Inter-Agency Collaboration Ahead of ICAO Validation Mission
The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, has called for sustained inter-agency cooperation and comprehensive technical and operational preparedness as Nigeria gears up for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) scheduled for April 2026.
Capt. Najomo made the call during separate high-level meetings with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) held on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at the Corporate Headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja.
Speaking at the engagements, the DGCA stressed that the ICVM is a collective national responsibility and not an assessment of the NCAA alone. He explained that, as an ICAO Contracting State, Nigeria is required to present a cohesive, well-coordinated aviation system that reflects effective collaboration among all relevant aviation agencies.
“The ICVM is about Nigeria as a State,” Capt. Najomo said, emphasising that all institutions within the civil aviation ecosystem must work together to demonstrate readiness, compliance and effectiveness across technical, regulatory and operational domains.
He commended NAMA for the significant progress recorded in addressing identified gaps in air navigation services, noting that continuous improvement in air traffic management and related infrastructure is critical to flight safety and operational efficiency.
The DGCA also praised NiMet for its strong performance in aeronautical meteorological services, underscoring the vital role of meteorology in flight operations, air traffic services and safety oversight.
Capt. Najomo further urged both agencies to sustain momentum, promptly close outstanding gaps and ensure that corrective actions already implemented are properly documented and demonstrable ahead of the ICAO mission.
Leading the NAMA delegation, the Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Engr. Terese Ijeoma Ihenachor, who represented the Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, expressed appreciation to the NCAA for its guidance and collaboration. She assured the DGCA that NAMA remains committed to addressing all remaining issues in preparation for the ICVM.
In a similar vein, the Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, thanked NCAA management for its continued support and close working relationship. He reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to maintaining high standards in aeronautical meteorological services and contributing effectively to Nigeria’s overall aviation safety performance.
Also present at the meetings were the NCAA Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Engr. Ahmed Abba; the National Continuous Monitoring Coordinator, Engr. Iteke Ifeanyi; the General Manager, Air Traffic Management, Alh. Sule Aminu; the General Manager, Search and Rescue, Alh. Babangida Usman; the Technical Assistant to the DGCA, Engr. Ini-Abasi Udofia, as well as other senior officials of the Authority.
The ICAO ICVM is designed to review the status of previously identified safety deficiencies, validate corrective actions taken in response to any Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA), and update a State’s overall Effective Implementation (EI) score.
Nigeria’s performance during the April 2026 mission is expected to reflect the strength of inter-agency collaboration, regulatory oversight and the robustness of safety systems across the country’s civil aviation sector.
