Senate Summons NCAA, Local Airlines Over Alleged Safety Violations

The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and several domestic airlines to appear before it over alleged safety breaches and regulatory lapses within the country’s aviation sector. The decision follows growing public concern about recurring incidents involving technical faults, emergency landings, and near-miss situations that have raised questions about the enforcement of aviation safety standards.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, announced the summons after a motion was adopted during plenary on Tuesday. The motion, sponsored by several lawmakers, highlighted what they described as “a disturbing trend of negligence and poor maintenance culture” among some local carriers. The lawmakers said the investigation was necessary to prevent avoidable air disasters and restore public confidence in the aviation system.

Senator Abdulfatai stated that the committee would interrogate both NCAA officials and airline operators to determine whether the agency has been carrying out its regulatory duties effectively. “We cannot compromise the safety of our citizens. The NCAA must explain the measures it has taken to ensure compliance with international aviation standards,” he said.

The Senate expressed concern that despite previous warnings from the NCAA, some airlines continue to operate aircraft that fail to meet basic airworthiness requirements. Lawmakers cited multiple reports of aircraft developing faults midair, unannounced flight cancellations, and poor handling of passengers as indicators of systemic failure. “We must act now before negligence results in tragedy,” Senator Abdulfatai added.

During deliberations, several senators recounted personal experiences and public complaints about the deteriorating quality of domestic flight operations. Senator Smart Adeyemi, a former chairman of the aviation committee, warned that the industry risks losing public trust if safety concerns persist. “Our aviation sector used to be a model in West Africa, but now we are witnessing rising incidents of technical issues that should have been detected through proper inspection,” he said.

The Senate also resolved to invite the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to brief lawmakers on the government’s efforts to strengthen oversight and enhance safety in the industry. Lawmakers said the investigation would cover issues such as aircraft maintenance records, regulatory inspections, pilot training, and compliance with safety advisories.

The motion further directed the NCAA to provide detailed reports on its recent safety audits and any disciplinary actions taken against defaulting airlines. Some lawmakers suggested that the authority should suspend airlines that fail to meet safety requirements until full compliance is achieved. “Passenger safety must take precedence over commercial interests,” one senator stated.

Reacting to the Senate’s resolution, aviation experts have described the move as timely and necessary. They noted that while Nigeria has maintained a relatively strong safety record in recent years, lapses in regulation and maintenance culture could quickly erode those gains. Captain Ado Sanusi, a former managing director of Aero Contractors, said consistent oversight is crucial to sustaining aviation safety. “The NCAA must be proactive, not reactive. Safety is achieved through continuous monitoring, not after-the-fact investigations,” he said.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), however, urged the Senate to ensure that the probe is not politicised. In a statement, the group said most airlines operating in the country adhere to strict maintenance schedules and are committed to passenger safety. “We welcome any process that strengthens safety oversight but caution against generalisations that could damage public confidence,” the statement read.

Industry observers have also urged the government to address infrastructural challenges at local airports, which they say contribute to some of the operational difficulties faced by airlines. These include poor runway lighting, inadequate maintenance facilities, and limited access to aviation fuel. “Safety is not only about aircraft condition; it is also about the environment in which they operate,” aviation analyst Chris Aligbe noted.

The NCAA, in its initial response, assured the public that it remains committed to ensuring air safety and that it conducts regular audits of all domestic airlines. The agency said it would cooperate fully with the Senate investigation and present relevant documents to demonstrate its compliance with international standards. “Our mandate is to ensure that no aircraft takes off unless it meets all safety requirements,” an NCAA spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, passengers have continued to express frustration over frequent flight delays and cancellations, which many believe are linked to poor maintenance practices. “Sometimes you board a flight and they announce a technical issue after you’ve waited for hours. It’s becoming a pattern,” said a traveller at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

Aviation unions have also joined the call for greater accountability, insisting that both regulators and operators must prioritise safety over profit. The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) emphasized that proper funding and staffing of the NCAA are essential to effective oversight. “An underfunded regulator cannot deliver world-class safety,” NUATE said in a statement.

As the Senate prepares to begin hearings in the coming days, expectations are high that the exercise will lead to tangible reforms in the aviation industry. Lawmakers have pledged to hold all parties accountable and to propose legislative amendments that will strengthen regulatory enforcement.

For many Nigerians, the Senate’s intervention offers hope that long-standing safety concerns in domestic air travel will finally be addressed. But as analysts caution, genuine progress will depend not just on investigations, but on sustained political will, adequate funding, and strict adherence to safety protocols by both regulators and operators.