The Coalition for Good Governance in Africa (CGGA) has commended the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, for his efforts to strengthen safety regulation, consumer protection and investment confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mohammed Kudu, the coalition said Najomo should not be held solely responsible for the wider challenges affecting the industry, noting that aviation involves several regulators, airlines, airport operators, government agencies and other stakeholders.

CGGA said its assessment of Najomo’s tenure indicated a focus on safety oversight, consumer protection, regulatory efficiency and efforts to create a more predictable operating environment for investors.

The coalition also highlighted Najomo’s more than four decades of experience in aviation, including his previous roles within the NCAA and the airline industry.

According to the group, the NCAA’s work around aircraft financing and investment is particularly important to the industry’s development, given the significant capital required by airlines to acquire and maintain aircraft.

It noted that Najomo, speaking at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in April, identified capital, confidence and capacity as key pillars for the growth of the aviation industry.

The coalition also cited the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing the Cape Town Convention and the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) framework as measures that could help strengthen confidence among aircraft financiers and lessors.

Kudu said Najomo’s performance should be assessed within the broader responsibilities of the aviation sector rather than against every challenge experienced by passengers and operators.

He said the regulator’s responsibilities were different from those of airlines, airport managers, air navigation service providers and other institutions involved in the operation of the aviation industry.

CGGA therefore urged stakeholders to distinguish between regulatory responsibilities and operational challenges when assessing the performance of the NCAA.

The coalition also praised Najomo for what it described as increased engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, saying collaboration would be necessary to address some of the sector’s longstanding challenges.

It urged stakeholders to ensure that disagreements with the regulator remained constructive and focused on finding solutions rather than becoming prolonged confrontations.

“The aviation industry needs a collaborative approach at this stage. Stakeholders have every right to raise concerns and demand accountability, but such engagement should be constructive and directed towards solutions,” Kudu said.

He added that the reforms being pursued by the Federal Government and regulatory measures under Najomo should be given time to produce sustainable results.

CGGA said creating a more investment-friendly aviation environment would require consistency, regulatory certainty and cooperation across the industry.

It pointed to the NCAA’s emphasis on regulatory standards and international aviation frameworks as important elements in efforts to improve investor confidence and support the growth of Nigerian airlines.

The coalition, however, urged the NCAA to sustain its focus on passenger protection, safety regulation and enforcement, while calling on airlines and other operators to comply with established rules.

According to CGGA, meaningful improvement in Nigerian aviation cannot be achieved through regulatory intervention alone and requires sustained cooperation between government, regulators, airlines, investors, airport operators and passengers.

The group urged stakeholders to put aside institutional disagreements and support measures aimed at building a safer, more efficient and competitive aviation industry.

“Nigeria needs an aviation sector that is safe, efficient, competitive and capable of supporting economic growth. That objective will not be achieved through blame trading. It will be achieved through responsible regulation, compliance, investment and cooperation,” the statement said.