Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Chris Najomo, has described the newly commissioned Flight Data Centre of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a landmark development and a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to strengthen aviation safety and regulatory standards.
Speaking in Abuja during the opening of a one-day training workshop for NCAA frontline managers, Najomo hailed the centre as a cornerstone of the Authority’s ambition to become a global leader in aviation oversight.
He explained that the facility will enable systematic collection and analysis of flight data, making it possible to identify safety risks before they escalate into serious incidents or accidents.
“This is more than a training programme; it is an investment in our collective future and a clear statement of our commitment to excellence,” Najomo declared, noting that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, personally commissioned the centre, underlining its strategic importance to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Najomo emphasised that the Flight Data Centre marks a decisive shift from compliance-based regulation to performance-based oversight, positioning Nigeria to adopt a predictive and proactive approach to aviation safety.
He credited the Director of Special Duties, Mr Horatius Egua, and his team for bringing the long-delayed project to completion. The initiative, he recalled, had stalled since 2016 but has now been successfully revived under his leadership.
According to the NCAA, the facility will transform Nigeria’s aviation safety framework by enabling real-time monitoring of aircraft operations, supporting airlines with data-driven assessments, strengthening incident investigation processes, and improving operational risk management through predictive modelling.
The launch drew participation from industry stakeholders, including the Banjul Accord Group Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and leading aviation professionals, who all acknowledged the project’s significance for Nigeria’s safety roadmap.
Captain Najomo reaffirmed NCAA’s long-term ambition of becoming a leading authority in global aviation regulation.
“The Flight Data Centre is a declaration of our collective commitment to safety, efficiency, and credibility,” he stated. “This is about the future of Nigeria’s aviation.”