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By Tracy Moses
The Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, stated this on Monday in Abuja, that the country is on track to finalize and publish a draft of its State Safety Programme (SSP) and National Safety Plan (NSP).
Capt. Najomo reassured stakeholders that Nigeria’s aviation industry’s SSP document is in its final stages of preparation and will be made available soon.
The development comes as the NCAA intensifies efforts to complete the necessary regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety and security of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The State Safety Programme (SSP) is an integrated set of regulations and activities aimed at improving safety in civil aviation. It is required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is unique to each member state. The SSP ensures the effectiveness of safety performance elements and addresses identified aviation safety risks.
As part of the process to develop Nigeria’s SSP, the NCAA is hosting the ICAO-West and Central Africa (WACAF) Regional Office of the African and Indian Ocean (AFI) Region Plan-state Safety Programme (SSP) Assistant Mission to Nigeria. The event began on Monday in Abuja.
In his welcome address, the Director-General (DG) of the NCAA emphasized that the document has undergone several necessary processes. “We have circulated the document to key stakeholders for feedback, and we have received valuable input,” he stated.
Represented by the NCAA Director of Special Duties, Mr. Horatius Egua, the DG also stressed that the upcoming initiatives is targeted at ensuring the success of the SSP. “The NCAA has planned additional programs, including a physical stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 2025, as well as an SMS workshop for Chief Executives. The success of the SSP depends on the active involvement of the CEOs within the aviation industry,” Mr. Egua added.
He emphasized that, with technical support from WACAF-ICAO, the NCAA will be able to bridge any gaps that may have previously been overlooked. He also highlighted that the technical mission program will significantly accelerate the implementation of the SSP program within the Authority.
He further stated that safety remains one of the primary objectives of the NCAA, noting that the State Safety Program (SSP) is pivotal in managing safety across the aviation industry. This program, he explained, encompasses all aspects of aviation safety, cutting across various sectors and operations.
Dr. Iteke Ifeanyi Chukwunomso, the General Manager of Air Operator Certification and Surveillance at the NCAA, explained that the Safety Management System (SSP) integrates safety activities and requirements. He emphasized that while safety measures have always been in place, the focus will now shift to a more proactive and predictive approach. “It’s not that we haven’t been doing this before, but now we aim to take action before an incident occurs, rather than waiting for an accident to happen,” he stated.
“There is a critical safety management requirement for both states and service providers within the aviation sector. These service providers include airlines, approved maintenance organizations, approved training organizations, international general aviation operators, FAAN, NAMA, and others. While some have begun implementing State Safety Management Systems (SMS), they have not yet fully met the desired standards we envision.”