Nigeria Secures 91% ICAO Safety Rating in Latest Validation Mission

Nigeria has recorded a 91 percent safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation following a Coordinated Validation Mission that concluded last week, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo announced yesterday.

The score represents a significant improvement over the 70.12 percent Effective Implementation rating the country received during the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme conducted between August and September 2023.

Keyamo described the outcome as one of the highest ratings Nigeria has achieved in an ICAO aviation assessment. He noted that all aviation agencies and domestic airlines were audited and certified safe based on the visiting team’s findings.

The ICVM was tasked with collecting, evaluating, and documenting evidence of Nigeria’s progress in implementing Corrective Action Plans arising from the 2023 audit. Team lead Mr. Jerome Patoreaux had earlier stated that the mission would assess documentation of safety reforms and cautioned against delays in submitting required evidence.

The validation exercise concluded on Wednesday following an on-site safety oversight audit that began the previous week. The improved rating underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian aviation authorities to align with international safety benchmarks.