The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended two pilots employed by ValueJet over a serious violation of aviation safety procedures at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement released by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the authority revealed that the incident occurred on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, when the pilots initiated departure procedures without securing mandatory pre-departure clearance.
The pilots involved Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba have both had their licences suspended with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into the incident.
“This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, violating both domestic aviation regulations and international safety standards,” the NCAA said.
Preliminary findings indicated that the aircraft began moving from its designated bay without clearance, which the authority described as a “grave violation” of standard protocol.
“The NCAA views this incident with utmost seriousness,” the statement added, emphasizing that aviation safety remains non-negotiable and that strict enforcement actions are essential to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace.
The regulatory body further clarified that the licence suspension would remain in force until the conclusion of an in-depth investigation, which is already underway.
This development comes as the NCAA continues efforts to tighten regulatory oversight and reinforce adherence to safety standards across all Nigerian airlines.
