NCAA Presses Wakanow on Consumer Protection Compliance, Visa Verification Standards
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has underscored the need for strict adherence to consumer protection regulations and robust visa verification procedures during a high-level meeting with executives of Wakanow at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation from Wakanow was led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adenike Macaulay, and was received by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, alongside senior management staff of the Authority.
The visit, held on 17 February 2026, centred on strengthening regulatory compliance, improving passenger experience, and fostering industry collaboration.
Welcoming the team, Najomo emphasised that while the NCAA remains committed to improving ease of doing business in Nigeria’s aviation sector, such facilitation would not come at the expense of safety, transparency, or regulatory discipline.
He highlighted visa verification as a critical area requiring diligence from travel agencies and service providers, noting that lapses often result in passenger inconvenience and reputational risk for operators.
Providing further regulatory clarification, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stressed the importance of full compliance with Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, which governs consumer protection obligations. He also referenced the five-point agenda of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as a policy framework guiding sector reforms.
Achimugu reiterated that timely resolution of passenger complaints is not optional but mandatory under existing rules. According to him, the prescribed timeline for processing refunds and resolving disputes is 14 days, and failure to comply could attract sanctions from the Authority.
The Director of Air Transport Regulation, Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, commended Wakanow for its operational achievements and encouraged the company to deepen its collaboration with regulators.
She noted that sustained cooperation between travel service providers and oversight bodies is essential for building a resilient, accountable, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem.
In her remarks, Macaulay expressed concern about the growing number of passengers who purchase international tickets without first securing valid visas, only to be denied entry at destination countries and returned to Nigeria.
She explained that such incidents create logistical challenges for airlines and agencies alike, and she appealed for enhanced data-sharing mechanisms with the NCAA to help mitigate the problem.
She assured regulators of Wakanow’s commitment to addressing identified issues and maintaining full compliance with all statutory requirements.
Macaulay was accompanied by Pius Ogbaje, Regional Director for the Northern Zone, and Folasayo Odia, Regional Manager for the same zone.
Representing the NCAA at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the DGCA and Head of Flight Operations and Adjudication, Ifueko Abdulmaleek; the Head of Protocol and Passages, Busari Taiwo; the Assistant General Manager, Public Relations, Gloria Yavath; and other senior officials.
Industry observers note that the engagement reflects the NCAA’s broader push to tighten regulatory enforcement while maintaining dialogue with private sector stakeholders.
Analysts say the emphasis on consumer protection and documentation compliance is particularly significant as Nigeria’s aviation sector experiences rising passenger traffic and increasing integration with global travel networks.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their willingness to sustain communication and cooperation aimed at enhancing service delivery, protecting passengers’ rights, and ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation industry continues to meet international best practices.
