Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director General, NCAA
By Sade Williams
In the last one year, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been in the news not for any other reason but for its positive impact on the aviation industry.
However, in evaluating the Acting Director General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo’s overall efforts and strategies employed over the course of the year in repositioning the regulatory Authority, it is important to note that according to the Federal government, the change in leadership in December 2023 was to enhance regulatory oversight, the well-being of passengers and stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry.
Plaudits have now been coming the way of Acting DG Najomo as stakeholders say his reforms in the Authority have repositioned the sector.
From the reinvigoration and strengthening of the Directorate of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection to the transformation of the workplace climate through enhanced collaboration amongst the management team, as well as between the workers’ body and top management, his one year tenure has become a topic for discussion among stakeholders.
Also, Najomo’s open-door policy and regular engagement with the NCAA unions to ensure peace and stability in the workforce is unprecedented leading to industrial harmony at the agency.
Comrade Akanbi Adimula, spokesman, African Aviation Renaissance Group Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP), once praised the commencement of preparation of the CAMP assisted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)under Najomo’s appointment.
Adimula noted that for the first time, the NCAA helmsman created a Project Monitoring and Contract Evaluation Unit (PMCEU) to ensure probity and transparency in the execution of NCAA’s projects.
He also commended the creation of the Quality Assurance department to promote compliance with technical and non-technical policies and procedures within the NCAA.
He was also quick to point out a complete re-evaluation of all holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) and the creation of a dedicated unit for the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to drive the growth of the Drone/Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPAS) industry in Nigeria.
“This has liberalized and simplified for Nigerians, the registration and usage of the UAVs . Instituted a simplified certification process as a derivative of the ease-of-doing business policy of the Najomo administration. Digitization of the regulatory authority processes through the deployment of EMPIC-EAP as the regulatory software for selected modules.Training for super-users have been done in April, 2024 and the system has commenced operation in phases. This has placed the Nigeria CAA at par with its counterpart in the advanced world.”, Adimula said.
Comrade Aderemi Aderinkomi,, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) NCAA Chapter Chairman, said the association did not take for granted, “the Ag DGCA sheer audacity to make a difference and his passion in recognizing aviation staff as a critical factor in ensuring safety, security, regularity and development of Civil Aviation in Nigeria as worthy of commendation by all Nigerians”.
Aderinkomi described the Ag DGCA as visionary, saying : “We celebrate the passion, resilience and a purpose-driven focus to re-engineer and reposition the NCAA towards truly fulfilling its mandate and vision as one of the leading CAAs in the world”.
Adding his voice, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the Ease of Doing Business without compromising standards mantra Najomo has executed in the NCAA in just one year as Ag. Director-General has caused immeasurable impact.
While praising the milestones the Acting. Director-General has achieved, under one year, Achimugu said: “I am an apostle of praising people while they are still alive to enjoy applause for their good work. It does not matter how the future plays out, you already proved your mettle. You have automated most of our processes. The flight data center is huge step in preventing accidents and collating data. The Consumer Protection Department owes its rejuvenation to your support and vision.
“The Directorate of Sir Transport Regulations (DATR) portal is a loud statement about your intentions, as has been your ability to pay workers what was unjustly owed them for years, despite budget provisions and approvals..You historically signed the IDERA and cut down the alleged corruption of inspections by allowing aircraft to be inspected in Nigeria..The NCAA in particular, and the aviation industry in general, owe you flowers for ensuring that Nigeria achieved an admirable score in the last audit.”, he added.
Achimugu noted that as more aircraft come into Nigeria, airlines will be better equipped to serve passengers, adding that there will be less disruptions.
“I know how strategically you have been trying to fix the issues that cause high airfares. There is so much I could say, but I will stop here for now.”.
The landmark achievements have led the Joint Action Congress (JAC), an umbrella body of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Unions of Sir Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) representing workers of NCAA, to expressing confidence in the leadership of the regulatory body, calling for the confirmation of its Acting Director-General as substantive DG.
