DGCA Hosts Aviation Permanent Secretary, Seeks Stronger Ministry-Regulator Synergy

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, hosted the newly redeployed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, on a familiarisation visit to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen institutional alignment between the supervising Ministry and its key regulatory agencies, particularly as the aviation sector continues to undergo reforms aimed at strengthening safety oversight, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Welcoming the Permanent Secretary, Capt. Najomo provided an extensive briefing on the mandate and operational framework of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stressing its central role in regulating civil aviation activities in line with international standards and best practices.
He explained that the Authority’s responsibilities cut across safety oversight, economic regulation, aviation security compliance, airworthiness certification, and consumer protection, all of which are critical to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
The DGCA also highlighted recent milestones recorded by the Authority, noting improvements in safety surveillance systems, enhanced regulatory enforcement across operators, and strengthened consumer protection mechanisms designed to improve passenger experience and accountability within the sector.
According to him, these achievements reflect the NCAA’s deliberate focus on continuous improvement, institutional reforms, and alignment with global aviation standards.
Capt. Najomo further emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between the NCAA and the Ministry, noting that effective coordination remains vital to achieving national aviation policy objectives and ensuring long-term sector stability.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended the leadership of the NCAA for what he described as “steady progress in regulatory performance and institutional strengthening.”
He underscored the need for closer synergy between policy formulation and regulatory execution, stressing that collaboration, capacity building, and innovation would remain central to the Ministry’s engagement with its agencies.
Kambari further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing strategic oversight and institutional support to enhance regulatory effectiveness, improve compliance standards, and drive sustainable growth within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He noted that the aviation sector remains a key pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda and must therefore be supported with strong governance structures and efficient regulatory institutions.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry, including the Director of Air Traffic Management (ATM), Ahmed Tijani Muhammed; Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Chindaya Ahmadu Audu; Director of Human Resources Management, Ejike Osibe; and Director of Reform Coordination, Innovation and Service Improvement, Adediji Francisca, among others.
On the NCAA side, the DGCA was joined by top management officials including the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Mary Tufano-Eche; Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. (Mrs.) Anastasia Gbem; Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Alhaji Ahmad Abaa Mni; Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Olufemi Y. Odukoya; Director of Aviation Security Regulation, Dr. Omogo Bernard Onwe Chinedu; Director of Airworthiness Standards, Engr. Balang Godwin; and Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, alongside other senior officials.
The engagement ended on a positive note, with both institutions reaffirming their shared resolve to strengthen regulatory governance, deepen institutional collaboration, and sustain reforms aimed at ensuring a safer, more efficient, and globally competitive Nigerian aviation sector.
The DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo, has hosted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, on a familiarisation visit in Abuja, reinforcing collaboration on aviation safety, regulation, and sector reforms.