BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have formalised a partnership to strengthen the regulation and oversight of aviation insurance in Nigeria.

The two regulatory agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, with the agreement providing for greater cooperation and the establishment of a Joint Technical Committee on Aviation Insurance.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the signing as a landmark event and the culmination of a long-standing collaborative relationship between the two institutions.

According to Najomo, the partnership reinforces the agencies’ shared commitment to strengthening aviation safety, financial resilience, regulatory compliance and the protection of the travelling public and other aviation stakeholders.

He noted that although aviation is globally recognised as the safest mode of transportation, the industry is also characterised by high-impact operational risks, making a robust and verifiable insurance framework essential.

“As the Authority statutorily responsible for regulating and mitigating these risks at the State level, our safety mandate must be complemented by a robust, transparent, and verifiable insurance framework,” Najomo said.

He added that the partnership with NAICOM would strengthen the foundation for operational safety and financial resilience in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The NCAA DG disclosed that the two agencies had worked closely for several years, with NAICOM providing expert assessments on the adequacy and viability of insurance policies procured by aviation operators in compliance with Part 18.14 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.
He said the new MoU would further deepen the existing cooperation, enhance

stakeholder confidence, support cost-efficient operations and address challenges confronting Nigerian aviation operators.
Najomo stressed that the objective of the partnership was not merely to enforce compliance but to create a balanced regulatory environment where aviation safety and financial protection complement each other.

He said the collaboration would promote sustainable insurance practices, minimise avoidable regulatory and operational challenges, and support the long-term growth and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The NCAA boss commended the Joint Technical Teams of both agencies for their diligence and professionalism in developing the MoU, while particularly appreciating the Commissioner for Insurance and the NAICOM team for their cooperation and commitment throughout the process.
He expressed confidence that the Joint Technical Committee established under the agreement would diligently discharge its responsibilities and ensure that the objectives of the partnership translate into measurable improvements in aviation insurance compliance and oversight.
“As we sign this MoU today, we reaffirm a simple but important principle: aviation safety must be supported by adequate financial protection. This partnership provides a stronger institutional framework for achieving both,” Najomo said.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, NAICOM, aviation agencies and organisations, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, the Nigerian Insurers Association, the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria and members of the media.