The Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has taken a significant step to strengthen aviation safety by inaugurating the National Operational Safety Committee (NOSC).

The committee, described as a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria, brings together regulators, airlines, service providers, investigators, and other key aviation stakeholders. Its mandate is to:

Assess and manage operational safety risks

Develop corrective action plans for identified hazards

Proactively address emerging threats to aviation safety

Monitor and evaluate overall safety performance across the sector

Capt. Najomo emphasized that the initiative is more than a regulatory requirement; it is a “national service” designed to safeguard air travellers while aligning Nigeria with international aviation safety standards. The NOSC will meet quarterly, using both physical and virtual formats to ensure effective collaboration and timely oversight.

The inauguration of the NOSC builds on several reforms already introduced under Capt. Najomo’s leadership, including:

Full implementation of the State Safety Programme (SSP) in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards

Establishment of a Flight Data Centre (FDAC) for data-driven safety monitoring

Strengthened oversight of aviation training organizations and strict compliance enforcement for airlines and operators

Experts note that the NOSC is expected to improve coordination among aviation stakeholders, enhance risk management, and raise safety standards nationwide, ultimately benefiting passengers with safer air travel.

Capt. Najomo said, “Nigeria’s aviation sector is entering a new era of proactive safety management, grounded in data, collaboration, and adherence to global best practices.” Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.