Government credits reforms and airline support measures as sector earns one of its highest global safety scores in decades……
Nigeria has recorded a major leap in aviation safety, achieving a 91.4 percent rating in its latest international assessment, one of the strongest performances the country has posted in decades.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the development on Wednesday in Abuja, describing it as a landmark moment for the industry. According to him, the rating ranks among the highest Nigeria has attained since it began undergoing global aviation audits in the 1960s.
The score follows a detailed review conducted by an international aviation assessment team, which evaluated the country’s regulatory systems, aviation agencies, and airline operations. At the end of the exercise, all relevant institutions and operators were deemed compliant with global safety standards.
Keyamo explained that the outcome reflects years of regulatory improvements and institutional strengthening across the aviation sector. He also pointed to government backing as a critical factor, noting that recent policy decisions have helped stabilize the industry and support operators.
The assessment was carried out under a follow-up mission that began last week and concluded on Wednesday. It builds on an earlier comprehensive audit conducted between August and September 2023, which identified areas for improvement and set the stage for this latest evaluation.
Beyond safety performance, the minister also addressed ongoing financial pressures facing airlines, particularly the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel. He revealed that the federal government has introduced measures to ease the burden on operators, including approving discounts on certain outstanding obligations owed to the government.
The intervention, he said, is aimed at preventing disruptions in air travel services and ensuring that airlines remain operational despite economic challenges.
The combination of improved safety ratings and targeted financial relief signals a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry both in terms of global credibility and local sustainability.
While the new rating reinforces confidence in the country’s oversight systems, attention now shifts to how these gains will translate into smoother operations, better passenger experience, and long-term stability for the sector.
