Come Help Us Tackle Corruption in Our Sector Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Begs EFCC

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reached out to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for assistance in tackling economic and financial crimes within the aviation sector.

NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, highlighted the growing threat of fraudulent activities, which compromise safety oversight and operational transparency.

The NCAA identified areas of concern, including high-value transactions such as aircraft purchases, leasing arrangements, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of safety infrastructure, which are vulnerable to fraud and money laundering. Najomo emphasized the need for EFCC’s intervention in cases where airlines deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems, or divert funds meant for safety oversight.

He also flagged illegal charter operations disguised as private flights, which often involve unregulated financial flows. To address these issues, the NCAA proposed joint initiatives with the EFCC, including training NCAA staff to detect financial red flags, sensitisation workshops to enhance oversight and regulatory compliance, and intelligence sharing to strengthen the partnership between the two agencies.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed willingness to work closely with the NCAA, designating senior officers to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint investigations, intelligence exchange, and compliance monitoring.

This collaboration aims to enhance the fight against economic and financial crimes in the aviation sector.