FG Reshuffles NCAA Directors Amid Corruption Allegations

The Federal Government has approved a major reshuffle of senior directors at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) following allegations of corruption, inefficiency and weakened regulatory oversight within the aviation regulator.

The decision signed off by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development comes amid growing scrutiny over the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards, a critical unit responsible for aircraft certification, maintenance oversight, and compliance with international safety standards. Recent reports from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) detailed incidents involving a Hawker 800XP crash-landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and a Cessna 172 accident in Owerri, raising concerns about regulatory lapses.

In the shake-up, Godwin Balang, previously Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, was moved to lead the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards, while Alhaji Ahmad Abba formerly Director of Special Duties at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was appointed Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards at NCAA. The changes took effect at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja with the intention of tightening oversight and strengthening operational controls in departments at the centre of the controversy.

One ministry source said the reshuffle is meant as a strategic intervention to address perceived regulatory weaknesses, particularly in areas that directly affect aircraft safety and certification. However, the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, stated the changes were administrative and part of efforts to improve effectiveness, noting that the broader investigation into the allegations remains ongoing.

By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola