The Nigerian aviation sector has reached a historic milestone, securing a 91.4% safety score in the latest audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This achievement was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a high-level meeting in Abuja.

The ICAO audit, which is conducted every three years, saw a significant improvement from Nigeria’s 2023 performance, where the country recorded a score of 70%.

Minister Keyamo noted that the 2023 result was considered “very low” in terms of safety and negatively impacted the international ratings of Nigerian airlines.

Attributing the improvement to the administration’s deliberate policy reforms and sustained support for the industry, the Minister stated that this is the highest safety score Nigeria has recorded since 1960. He credited the success to a collaborative effort between the Ministry and the heads of aviation agencies, who he noted remained “hands-on” throughout the process.

Keyamo highlighted that a central committee, established by the Ministry specifically for the audit, worked for over two years to identify and address the gaps that led to the previous sub-par results. He praised the agencies involved including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for their dedication.

The Minister acknowledged that the 2023 audit served as a crucial baseline for the subsequent reforms that were implemented to strengthen oversight and enhance compliance across the sector. These efforts were aimed at ensuring that Nigeria aligns with global aviation standards.

The successful audit outcome is expected to bolster confidence in the Nigerian aviation industry and provide a foundation for further international cooperation and growth. The Minister concluded by congratulating everyone involved, including the various airlines that were audited, noting that their contributions were vital to achieving this record-breaking result.