Aircraft Pilots and Engineers Demand Retraction from Senator Over Drug Use Claims

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to immediately retract and apologize for what it describes as “unsubstantiated” and “baseless” claims that some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp and operate aircraft under the influence of drugs.

The demand comes in response to statements made by the Senator during a recent plenary session of the National Assembly. In a strongly-worded statement, NAAPE said the allegations constitute a “malicious attack” on the integrity and professionalism of its members and risk undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The association defended the rigorous standards governing the profession, stating that all pilots are subject to strict regulatory, medical, and ethical codes established by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in line with global norms.

“These standards prohibit the use of any psychoactive substances and subject pilots to regular and random drug and alcohol testing,” the statement read. NAAPE emphasized that the multiple layers of oversight—including pre-flight medical checks and recurrent toxicology screening, make it “inaccurate and misleading” to suggest pilots routinely report for duty intoxicated.

Speaking on behalf of the association, NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, stated that the burden of proof lies with the accuser.

“It is unacceptable to make unsubstantiated claims against a community of professionals,” Captain Gindeh said. “The burden of proof lies with whoever makes such an allegation, and it must be supported by evidence or withdrawn with a public apology.”

He added that Nigerian pilots undergo some of the most rigorous screening in the world and expressed disappointment that a former airline operator would make such sweeping generalizations.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s strong air safety record in Africa, NAAPE urged public figures to engage constructively with facts. The association has called on the NCAA to issue a public clarification on its drug testing procedures to reassure the flying public and has invited Senator Kalu and the National Assembly’s Aviation Committee to engage with them to understand the industry’s comprehensive safety framework.