Tinubu hails Nigeria’s record-breaking 91.45% aviation safety rating

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded Nigeria’s achievement of an impressive 91.45% aviation safety rating following a comprehensive audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This milestone, which represents the highest score in the nation’s history, underscores the administration’s commitment to transforming the aviation sector into a global benchmark for safety and efficiency.

The rating was issued through the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), a United Nations-led mechanism that assesses the ability of member states to manage safety risks effectively.

During a recent debriefing at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) headquarters in Abuja, the ICAO audit team confirmed that Nigeria’s Effective Implementation (EI) score of 91.45% significantly exceeds both the West African regional average of 61.1% and the global average of 70.4%.

This performance places Nigeria in an elite tier of aviation safety, a development expected to bolster international confidence in the nation’s airspace and attract substantial foreign investment.

President Tinubu noted that the rating affirms Nigeria’s adherence to rigorous international standards and positions the country as an increasingly attractive destination for airline operations, maintenance facilities, and infrastructure development.

The President attributed this success to the strategic focus of his administration, which prioritized infrastructure and transportation as key drivers of economic growth.

He also identified the five-point agenda outlined by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo as central to.the achievement.

The agenda specifically identifies strict compliance with safety regulations and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s ICAO standing as its primary objective.

While commending the Ministry and relevant stakeholders for the feat, President Tinubu urged the sector not to rest on its laurels.

He directed the Ministry to meticulously review and implement every recommendation provided by the ICAO auditors to ensure that Nigeria not only maintains its current standing but continues to ascend in future assessments.

The Presidency maintains that a secure and efficient aviation industry is vital to establishing Nigeria as a premier hub for air transport across the African continent and beyond.