Captain Chris Najomo became the Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in December 2023. His focus has been on safety, financial stability, industry standards, consumer protection, and staff welfare.
Flight Data Analysis Centre (FDAC): Najomo launched FDAC to monitor flight data and improve safety. It helps detect issues early, aligning Nigeria with ICAO standards.
Airport Recertification: He led the recertification of Murtala Muhammed and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airports after fixing over 160 compliance issues.
Crackdown on Illegal Charter Flights: Najomo suspended operators abusing permits and enforced stricter regulations to protect legitimate operators.
Drone Regulation: He made drone registration easier, encouraging compliance among operators.
Financial Stability: The ‘no pay, no service’ policy improved NCAA’s financial health. He also introduced a flexible aircraft policy, resulting in five new airlines entering the market.
Consumer Protection: Najomo revamped the Consumer Protection Department, launching a digital portal for complaints. He also enforced penalties against airlines for delayed refunds and luggage mishandling.
Staff Welfare: He raised salaries, paid arrears, and introduced the Face of Aviation Consumer Protection initiative to reward staff.
Project Completion: Najomo completed long-delayed projects, including the Port Harcourt and Kano Regional Offices.
Flight disruptions increased in 2024. Najomo revealed 5,225 delays out of 10,804 flights. He emphasized the responsibility of operators to manage disruptions and adhere to consumer protection regulations. He vowed to enforce penalties for violations.
Najomo’s first year saw progress in safety, finance, consumer protection, and staff welfare. However, flight disruptions remain a challenge. He continues to focus on improving the industry through stricter regulations and enforcement.