How Nigeria secured re-election into ICAO Council

Nigeria has been re-elected into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council with 163 votes. The election was conducted during the 42nd ICAO General Assembly, which was held in Montréal, Canada, with 193 member states in attendance. The ICAO Council, regarded as the governing body of the United Nations specialised agency for aviation, consists of […]

Nigeria has been re-elected into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council with 163 votes.

The election was conducted during the 42nd ICAO General Assembly, which was held in Montréal, Canada, with 193 member states in attendance.

The ICAO Council, regarded as the governing body of the United Nations specialised agency for aviation, consists of 36 states elected for a three-year term.

Nigeria retained its seat under Part II of the Council, which is reserved for countries making the largest contributions to international civil aviation facilities.

Nigeria’s candidate, Engr. Mahmoud Ben-Tukur, emerged victorious from a keenly contested election involving 11 other African nations.

Africa’s representation in the ICAO Council under Part II was further strengthened as Egypt and South Africa were also re-elected.

The three countries remain the continent’s strongest voices at ICAO, allowing them to influence policies on aviation safety, air navigation, and environmental standards.

Other countries that secured seats in this category include Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, and Switzerland. Their presence underscores the strategic importance of balancing global representation in ICAO decision-making processes.

The General Assembly began on September 23 and is expected to conclude on October 3, 2025. It remains one of the most important gatherings in global aviation, where critical issues ranging from air traffic safety to climate action are discussed and voted upon by member states.

Meanwhile, attention now shifts to the upcoming election into Part III of the ICAO Council, which ensures equitable geographical representation. Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Morocco, and Uganda are among the African candidates expected to contest in that phase of the election.

Nigeria’s continued membership of the ICAO Council is considered vital for its aviation sector. Since joining ICAO in 1962, the country has consistently held a seat, ensuring it participates actively in shaping international standards that directly affect airlines, regulators, and airports within its borders.

Nigeria’s Director-General, Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, noted that a seat at ICAO allows Nigeria to push for fairer regulations, defend its carriers against unfair competition, and align with best practices that guarantee passenger safety.

In addition, Nigeria’s position provides it with a platform to strengthen bilateral agreements with other ICAO member states. This diplomatic leverage is critical for a country aspiring to be the aviation hub of West Africa.

The ICAO Council is divided into three parts. Part I is reserved for states of chief importance in air transport, while Part II, where Nigeria sits, recognises states making significant contributions to aviation facilities and services.

Part III ensures geographical balance by including states that may not be globally dominant but whose representation preserves fairness across regions.

With this victory, Nigeria will continue to serve on the 36-member ICAO Council for another three-year term, alongside Egypt, South Africa, India, Spain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) however congratulated Nigeria’s representative, Engr. Mahmoud Ben Tukur on his re-election.

Ben-Tukur, a seasoned aviation professional is a former General Manager of Airworthiness Standards at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) who has been representing Nigeria on the council.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, also applauded Nigeria’s re-election while commending the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, for his dynamic stewardship and foresight, which she said played a decisive role in consolidating Nigeria’s international standing.

“This overwhelming vote of confidence from the international community reaffirms Nigeria’s strategic importance in aviation. Under the Honourable Minister’s leadership, Nigeria has not only safeguarded its seat but also deepened its influence in shaping the future of global aviation,” she said.

The MD/CE emphasized that Nigeria’s presence on the ICAO Council provides a powerful platform to align domestic reforms with international best practices in safety, security, infrastructure, and environmental responsibility.

“At FAAN, we see this renewed mandate as a call to action. We are determined to leverage Nigeria’s place on the ICAO Council to fast-track our ambition of making Nigeria the aviation hub of West Africa. By translating this recognition into world-class airport infrastructure, smarter operations, and elevated passenger experience, we will ensure that our airports remain gateways of national pride and regional competitiveness,” she added.