Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo
By Sade Williams
The appointment of the acting Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviatio Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona Najomo, has been confirmed by the Senate.
He is now the substantive DG of the Authority.
The confirmation was made during the Senate’s plenary session on Thursday, after adopting the Senate Committee on Aviation’s report.
Prior to this, Najomo served as the Acting DG of the NCAA. In a statement on the NCAA’s X handle (formerly Twitter), the authority wished him a successful tenure and expressed confidence in his leadership.
The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai (APC-Oyo) while presenting the report, said the committee screened the nominee, and found him suitable for the appointment.
This is due to his vast experience and outstanding contributions in the aviation industry” he said.
He, however,urged the senate to approve the recommendations of the committee for confirmation and appointment of Najomo as director general, NCAA.
Also, Sen.Mohammed Monguno(APC-Borno) said although he was not a member of the aviation committee, the resume of the nominee inspired hope, as there was no adverse security report from security agencies against him.
Mr Monguno urged the senate to approve the recommendations of the committee for confirmation.
The senate thereafter, confirmed the nomination of Najomo as director general of NCAA.
The Man, Chris Najomo
Najomo is a distinguished aviation professional with over four decades of experience in leadership, piloting, and regulatory expertise in the industry; he has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and capacity in various roles throughout his career.
His extensive qualifications, vast experience, and unwavering commitment to aviation excellence make him a valuable asset to any organization within the industry.
According to his Curriculum Vitae posted on the website of the NCAA, Najomo has a total of 24,000 flying hours from 30 years of career,. He has flown B727, BACI – II, SE210, CE550, EMB120, B737 (600-900s) and Airbus 330.
He is the immediate past Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA. He previously served as
the Director, Air Transport Regulation (2022 to 2023).
Before joining the NCAA, Capt. Najomo was the Chief Pilot at Arik Air (2021 to 2022), Line Captain Arik Air, 2008 to 2017. He was NCAA’s Designated Examiner: B727; T.R.E, EMB120 (2007 to 2008).
He was a onetime Managing Director/CEO, Capital Airline (2005 to 2007) and the Director, FLTOPS, Al’Barkar Airline – Abuja, 2004 to 2005.
The thorough-bred aviation professional began his career with an Air Traffic Control Assistant Course in 1980 at the Federal Civil Aviation Authority Training School – Lagos. He would later obtain his C.P.L/IRMEL from the Airline Training Institute, California, USA.
Capt. Najomo is type-rated on several aircraft. He got a CE550 Rating in 1984 at American Eagle Aviation – California, USA, the SF210 Type- Rating, Aviation, (1984) at the Point Airline – Orly, France, BAC I-II Type (1985), Rating Held in Dublin, Ireland, B727 Type Rating in Pittsburgh, USA, 1994, A.T.P.L Type Rating, (1989) Pegasus Training Centre – Texas, USA. Others include B727 Type Rating, 1994 USAIR – Pittsburgh, USA, B737 NG-600 – 900 Type Rating, Luton, UK, 2006, B 120 Type Rating Held in Paris, 2006 and AIRBUS 330 Type Rating, Aviation, 2013 AIRBUS Training Center, – Miami, USA, UK.
Other certificates include; FLT Safety International, 2004, SIMCENTRE, Le – Miami, Paris, USA, EMB 120 Panel and Instructor Course-TRE, 2007, C.R.M Curriculum; FUNDERMENTALS of Instruction Cur, 2004
SIMCENTRE, – Miami, USA, USA, E.M.B 120 Type Rating; EMB 120 Panel and Instructor, 2006 to 2007, B737 NGRE Qualification Course, Aviation, 2017, CTC Training Centre, – Southhampton, UK, and FLORIDA Light Sport Aviation Academy – USA.
Other certifications include: IATA Certificate, IATA Law of Aviation Insurance, Law of Aviation Insurance, 07/2023 to 08/2023, IATA Training Centre – London, UK, IATA Certificate, Transport Economics, Transport Economics, 07/2023 to 08/2023, IATA Training Centre – London, UK and IATA Certificate, Airline Financial Mgt. UK, Airline Financial Mgt., 07/2023 to 08/2023, IATA Training Centre – London, UK.
He has several awards and recognitions. He is married with children.
