Flight Data Centre Affirms Nigeria’s Commitment to Safety –NCAA DG
The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has designated the establishment of the Flight Data Centre by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a landmark declaration of the nation’s commitment to aviation safety.
Capt. Najomo made this remark while speaking recently during the opening of a one-day training workshop for frontline managers of the centre at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
He noted that the facility’s importance was emphasized by the fact that it was personally commissioned by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
The NCAA boss stated that the centre represents much more than infrastructure, adding “We are investing in your capacity and competence. This is more than a training programme—it is an investment in our collective future and a clear statement of our commitment to excellence.”
According to him, the centre would enable proactive collection and analysis of flight data, helping to identify potential safety deficiencies before they escalate into incidents or accidents.
He reiterated NCAA’s determination to shift from compliance-based oversight to performance-based oversight, moving from reactive methods to proactive and predictive strategies.
Capt. Najomo lauded the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Horatius Egua, and his team for their dedication to realizing the NCAA’s vision of becoming one of the world’s leading civil aviation authorities.
In his goodwill message, Egua recounted that the project, which had been stalled since 2016, only became a reality with the DGCA’s approval.
He commended Capt. Najomo for supporting the ongoing training for frontline managers, stressing that the centre would play a vital role in strengthening Safety Management Systems (SMS) and providing practical training.
He also cited the benefits of the facility, which include enhanced safety oversight, regulatory compliance, improved incident investigation, operational performance monitoring, risk management, cost efficiency, and greater global credibility for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The workshop assembled participants from across the aviation sector, with representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Banjul Accord Group Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), APS facilitators, among others.