ICAO Hails NCAA Over Workforce Professionalisation

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for prioritising workforce development, describing the agency as one of Africa’s leading civil aviation authorities.

The commendation came from the Director of ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau (CDI), Fabio Rabbani, during the 11th ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week holding in Cairo, Egypt, from July 27 to 31, 2026.

Rabbani praised the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, for making staff capacity building a priority through strategic partnerships with ICAO, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other globally recognised training institutions.

According to him, the sustained investment in human capital has positioned the NCAA as a leading civil aviation authority on the African continent.

Rabbani also expressed the ICAO Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the NCAA to further strengthen Nigeria’s civil aviation regulatory framework.

Responding, Najomo reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the NCAA into a more efficient and professionally equipped regulatory authority.

The DGCA disclosed that the authority has expanded its staff training programme beyond senior officers on Grade Level 14 and above to include personnel from Grade Level 10.

“We need to catch them young and train them in order to make the Authority better equipped to carry out its oversight functions,” Najomo said.

He stressed that broadening access to professional training would enhance the NCAA’s oversight capabilities and ensure the agency continues to meet international aviation safety and regulatory standards.