Nigeria surpasses global aviation safety average with 91.45 per cent score
Bola Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organization, describing it as a boost to investor confidence and the country’s global aviation credibility.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the rating followed a recent audit by ICAO at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in Abuja.
According to the statement, the ICAO audit team announced that Nigeria achieved an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 per cent, its highest ever. The figure places the country well above the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent.
The Presidency said the rating reinforces Nigeria’s position as a credible aviation market and enhances its attractiveness to investors.
It added that upon assuming office, Tinubu prioritised infrastructure and transportation as key drivers of economic growth, with a focus on strengthening the aviation sector to meet international standards and position Nigeria as a regional hub.
The statement also referenced Tinubu’s meeting with a delegation from British Airways on Wednesday, marking 90 years of the airline’s operations in Nigeria.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was said to have outlined a five point agenda aimed at expanding the aviation value chain, with strict compliance with safety regulations as a central objective.
Tinubu commended the ministry for the achievement, noting that the improved rating affirms Nigeria’s aviation safety standards and strengthens its appeal for investment in infrastructure, maintenance facilities and airline operations.
He, however, urged continued diligence, calling on the ministry to implement all recommendations made by ICAO auditors to sustain and further improve the country’s rating.
The ICAO, a United Nations agency, oversees global aviation safety through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, which evaluates countries on their ability to manage safety risks and maintain effective regulatory systems.
Nigeria, as a member state, is required to comply with international aviation standards and has undergone four such audits since the programme began in 1999.