The Senate has launched an investigation into the recent Air Peace runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport, as well as growing concerns about substance abuse and lax supervision among aviation personnel.

The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), which cited the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the June 22, 2025, incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 aircraft.

Although no lives were lost, the report nonetheless exposed serious safety lapses, including poor runway conditions, inadequate airfield lighting, and inadequate regulatory oversight.

“Nigeria has in recent years witnessed an increase in runway-related incidents and near-misses that could undermine public confidence and endanger lives if not urgently addressed,” the upper legislative chamber noted.

In its resolutions, the Red Chamber urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently implement safety recommendations contained in the NSIB report.

It also called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen compliance monitoring, conduct routine audits of airports, and enforce adherence to international safety standards.

The lawmakers directed FAAN to prioritise rehabilitation of runways, provide airfield lighting, and install modern navigational aids nationwide, beginning with Port Harcourt International Airport, and mandated its Committee on Aviation to engage all relevant stakeholders — including the NSIB, NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, and airline operators — and report back within six months.

During the debate, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) expressed deep concern over alleged drug use and poor supervision among pilots, describing it as a “deadly and growing threat’ to Nigeria’s aviation safety.