Nigeria Aviation Authority Records Highest ICAO Safety Score as Funding Debate Rises

Nigeria's civil aviation sector achieved a record 91.4% score in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety oversight audit, the highest rating since 1960. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo attributed the improvement to reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu, noting a rise from the previous ~70% level and citing increased international confidence and airport concession successes.

At the same time, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) warned that a proposed amendment to the revenue‑sharing formula—reducing NCAA's share from 56% to 40% and increasing the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency's (NAMA) share to 40%—could undermine safety oversight. NCAA Director Michael Achimugu argued the regulator is already underfunded and that further cuts risk failing future ICAO audits and could attract penalties.