NCAA, NNPCL Deepen Partnership on Aviation Safety Standards
By Admin, Lagos Nigeria
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have initiated stronger collaboration efforts aimed at enhancing aviation safety standards and regulatory coordination within Nigeria’s oil and gas aviation operations.
The renewed partnership focuses on aligning aviation safety procedures with evolving regulatory requirements, particularly in areas involving offshore logistics, air transport support services, and operational compliance linked to the energy sector.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by officials of NNPCL to the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the Director of Airworthiness Standards and Chairman of the Flight Standards Group, Engr. Godwin Balang, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen aviation safety management across critical sectors.
Balang noted that effective collaboration between regulatory agencies and major industry operators remains essential to sustaining safety oversight and improving operational efficiency within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He also highlighted the NCAA’s recent achievement during the International Civil Aviation Organization Coordinated Validation Mission, where Nigeria recorded a 91.4 percent score, describing it as evidence of ongoing reforms and improved compliance with global aviation safety benchmarks.
According to him, the achievement further positions Nigeria as a growing reference point for aviation safety performance within the region.
In his remarks, NNPCL’s Manager of Environmental Strategy, Policy and Standards, Dr. Edwin Aboh, commended the NCAA for its regulatory leadership and acknowledged the Authority’s role in advancing aviation safety governance in the country.
“NNPCL is currently developing internal aviation safety guidelines, and collaboration with the NCAA is important to ensure that our standards align with both national and international requirements,” he said.
He explained that the company’s aviation-related activities, particularly in logistics and operational support, require a structured safety framework backed by strong regulatory guidance.
Industry stakeholders at the meeting noted that the collaboration is expected to improve compliance monitoring, institutional coordination, and safety implementation across aviation operations connected to the oil and gas sector.
Officials present at the engagement included the NCAA Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Barr. Mary Tufano-Eche, Director of Air Transport Regulation, Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, alongside other senior representatives from both organisations.
Observers say the growing partnership between NCAA and NNPCL reflects increasing efforts to strengthen aviation safety governance while improving cooperation between regulatory institutions and strategic national corporations.