By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a firm warning to local airport and airstrip operators that failure to obtain the required operational permits will attract sanctions beginning from 1 January 2026.
This declaration was made on Monday by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the NCAA, Godwin Balang, during the Airstrip Owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme held in Lagos.
Balang was clear that the directive should not be interpreted as a threat, but rather a shared resolution reached by all parties involved.
He revealed that, according to the NCAA’s current database, there are approximately 92 airstrips across the country, including operational ones, those undergoing rehabilitation, and others still under construction.
He added that a handful of these airstrips are already in full compliance, having secured valid operational permits.
“The aviation sector has seen significant transformation in recent years. As such, our regulatory approaches must evolve to reflect the realities on the ground and deliver more meaningful outcomes,” Balang explained.
He said that necessary amendments would be made to existing regulations and supporting documents to ensure that the NCAA’s oversight remains effective. He described this regulatory revision as the core purpose of the stakeholder engagement.
“It’s important to note that out of the 92 identified airstrips, 68 are owned by the Federal Government and overseen by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The remaining 24 are operated by individuals and private organisations.
“This underlines the importance of deeper collaboration between the NCAA and the Ministry to clearly delineate the roles of operator and regulator for more effective governance,” Balang noted.
He referenced Section 71 (3) and (4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022, which mandates the NCAA to certify and issue permits for aerodrome operations in Nigeria, as well as to set the baseline safety standards for aerodrome design, operation, and maintenance.
Balang explained that the stakeholder engagement was directly tied to this regulatory mandate and intended to advance the proper governance of airstrip operations nationwide.
He also pointed out that, beyond the core Aerodrome and Ground Aids (AGA) procedures required for permit issuance, there would be a particular focus on aviation security.
“There is an urgent need to develop clear strategies to tackle emerging security threats, while at the same time making full use of our airstrip infrastructure to boost the nation’s socio-economic growth. Of course, one day is not nearly enough to cover the full scope of this critical topic,” he said.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, also addressed attendees and reaffirmed the regulator’s responsibilities as set out in the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
He outlined the goals of the engagement: “to improve communication between the NCAA and both state and private airstrip operators; to clarify the regulatory obligations for airstrip construction, operations and safety standards; to identify and resolve challenges experienced by operators; to uncover opportunities for collaboration on airstrip development and integration into Nigeria’s broader aviation network; and to encourage the adoption of internationally recognised best practices in airstrip management.”
Najomo expressed optimism that these objectives would be achieved, stressing that airstrip operations in Nigeria must henceforth adhere strictly to all regulatory requirements and international standards.
He explained that while ICAO Annex 14 Volume I outlines the certification standards for full-scale aerodromes, those benchmarks may not be entirely appropriate for smaller airstrips.
“In keeping with our ease-of-doing-business approach, the NCAA is actively working to introduce tailored regulations for airstrips, which will serve as a springboard for the advancement of general aviation in Nigeria,” he said.
“We are committed to maintaining safety while strategically aligning with the Minister’s five-point agenda.”
The event, themed ”Enhancing Safety, Compliance and Collaboration for Efficient Airstrip Operations”, drew participants from several key aviation bodies, including the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, among other industry stakeholders