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Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Four out of the five international airports in Nigeria can today lay claim to meeting strict standards set for safety, operations and technical by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
This development follows from the issuance of aerodrome certification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Kano State, and the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport in Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Kano and Port Harcourt now join Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, which had earlier been issued with the same certification, thus marking a significant achievement and highlights ongoing improvements in the safety standards of the country’s international airports.
The FAAN is now left with ensuring that the only airport left, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, receives its own certification to complete the ICAO benchmark standards.
Olubunmi Kuku, chief executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the federal agency responsible for managing the country’s airports, speaking when the certificates were issued for the two airports, acknowledged the feat as being the first time in Nigeria’s history that four of the five international airports will be certified at the same time, and attributed the achievement to inter-agency collaboration.
“Today, we celebrate a monumental feat, but I wish to highlight that the true success story here is exemplary interagency cooperation. The journey to this certification was rigorous, defined by a series of meticulous inspections, constructive dialogue, and the diligent exchange of Corrective Action Notices and Plans.
“The certification of these two major international gateways is a strategic pillar of growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector. It reinforces confidence for airlines, assures passengers of our commitment to world-class safety, and enhances Nigeria’s standing within the global aviation community. It is a clear signal that our airports are operated with integrity, professionalism, and in strict adherence to international benchmarks,” she said.
The certification confirms that Kano and Port Harcourt airports adhere to the strict safety, operational, and technical standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with the milestone anticipated to enhance trust among domestic and international airlines, strengthening Nigeria’s standing in global aviation.
Aerodrome certification is a critical process that ensures airports meet international standards for safety, efficiency, and operational regularity in air transport. When an aerodrome is certified, it signifies that the facility complies with the necessary specifications for infrastructure, facilities, and operations.
