Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority warns funding cuts could jeopardise aviation safety

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned that a proposed amendment to reduce its share of the five‑percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) – currently allocated to the regulator alongside the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other bodies – would weaken its financial position and impair its ability to carry out effective safety oversight. Director of Public Affairs Michael Achimugu told journalists in Abuja that such a cut could compromise aviation safety for all travellers, stressing the need for well‑trained inspectors and adequate funding.

The amendment is under consideration by the National Assembly, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has intervened to resolve the dispute. Achimugu highlighted the NCAA’s role in Nigeria’s strong performance in international safety audits and urged stakeholders to keep the regulator fully funded rather than shifting revenue to agencies that are meant to be self‑sustaining.