The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has firmly dismissed recent allegations by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, which claimed there was substance abuse among pilots and weak regulatory oversight in the sector.
In a statement, the NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, described the senator’s comments as “inaccurate and misleading.”
Captain Najomo reaffirmed that Nigeria maintains a globally recognized and rigorous system for certifying and monitoring all flight crew.
He stressed that the NCAA operates a multilayered safety framework in full compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The DG explained that no pilot is permitted to fly without a valid licence and a current Class 1 Medical Certificate, which involves extensive aero-medical evaluations.
These certifications are periodically renewed, and pilots are subject to random drug and alcohol testing to ensure continuous compliance.
Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy, Captain Najomo cited the recent suspension of a ValueJet pilot’s licence as evidence of the agency’s commitment to upholding safety standards.