The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for a stronger collaboration between the judiciary and the aviation regulatory authority to enhance safety, guarantee accountability and ensure justice in the aviation industry.
Keyamo made the call yesterday, in Abuja at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) judges’ conference 2025 with the theme: “The role of Judges in sustaining Nigeria’s adherence to applicable International Conventions in relation to carriage by air “.
He mentioned that the ministry’s goal was to have a system that commands trust from passengers, investors, and international partners. He said, “When passengers or operators believe they will receive fair hearing and reasoned justice, confidence grows. And with confidence comes investment.”
Keyamo maintained that the ongoing reforms in the aviation sector require effective collaboration between the Judiciary and the regulators, adding that aviation disputes are often technical and demand not only knowledge of the law but also an appreciation of international standards, insurance mechanisms, and operational realities.
He, however, commended the NCAA for convening the roundtable, saying it will help bridge the communication gap between the regulators and the interpreters of the regulations, saying that when regulators and judges align purposefully, it ensures consistency in the sector.
The Director-General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, in his address, stated that the theme of the conference was apt as it underscored the indispensable role of the judiciary in ensuring that global commitments are not merely aspirational, but actively enforced, saying when laws are interpreted with clarity and purpose, it becomes the foundation upon which safety, fairness, and trust are built in aviation.
He stated that Nigeria’s obligations under key instruments such as the Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944 and the Montreal Convention of 1999 reflected the nation’s dedication to international best practices.
He acknowledged that conventions achieve their true force when upheld in courts, saying that through judgments, judges interpret not just the letter of the law, but its spirit and intent, thereby balancing the interests of passengers, operators, regulators and the state.
Najomo affirmed that the NCAA remained committed to continuous alignment with international standards, robust oversight, and transparent governance, and mindful that regulation alone is not enough, as the judiciary’s wisdom gives permanence and legitimacy to every effort they make to uphold the rule of law in aviation.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, in his remarks, noted that although the Montreal Convention of 1999 remained the central international instrument governing liability for international carriage by air, however, the recent litigation in the courts has tested the Convention’s scope and interface with domestic law, producing jurisprudence of significance on judges, regulators and practitioners.
Fagbemi, who was represented by the Director, Solicitor Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, Gladys Odegbaro, said claims for damages arising from carriage by air must be brought under the Montreal Convention and domestic laws to determine procedural matters and persons entitled to bring up a claim.
