What certification of Kano, Port Harcourt airports means?

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last week issued Aerodrome Certificates to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt; a move which highlighted the airports’ safety preparedness and commitment to aviation safety. The certificates were presented to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku. According […]

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last week issued Aerodrome Certificates to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt; a move which highlighted the airports’ safety preparedness and commitment to aviation safety.

The certificates were presented to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku.

According to the report, the development underscores FAAN’s strategic push to institutionalise certification as a core pillar of airport operations across Nigeria.

The certification increased the number of airports that have been certified to four including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

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FAAN operates no fewer than 22 airports with only four certified. The remaining 18 airports have lesser activities and flight operations.

The certification also followed a rigorous and structured regulatory process jointly executed by FAAN and the NCAA.

Daily Trust reports that the certification indicates that the airports comply with national and international safety rules as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The certification presupposes that runway condition and markings; airfield lighting systems; fire and rescue services and security arrangements are in order.

It also indicates that the airports are fit to handle international flights. Airlines from other countries can operate there with confidence that global standards are being met.

In summary, the certification means that the airports are judged safe, properly managed, and suitable for both domestic and international aviation operations. The certification also means that the NCAA, the apex aviation regulatory authority, will increase its surveillance on the airports to ensure that they do not lower the guards. This is done through routine inspections; compliance monitoring while there are regular advisories on the need for improvement.

A statement signed by FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire, explained that the process involved multiple audits, operational assessments, and infrastructure evaluations to ensure the airports met international safety benchmarks.

In his remarks, NCAA Director of Aerodrome Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, explained that the certification journey was the result of painstaking inspections and continuous engagement with FAAN teams.

He noted that inspectors worked closely with airport managers to identify safety gaps, close corrective action plans, and align aerodrome operations with global standards and international best practices. He added that the process demanded consistency, discipline, and full organisational commitment.

Meanwhile, Director General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, stressed that inter-agency collaboration remains critical to sustaining aviation safety improvements.

He noted that the certification outcomes are strongest when regulators and operators share responsibility for safety, compliance, and operational excellence within Nigeria’s aviation system.

Receiving the certificates on behalf of the FAAN Board and Management, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku, described the certification of the two airports as a powerful statement of Nigeria’s resolve to operate airports that meet internationally accepted safety, consistency, and performance standards, while also supporting airline confidence and passenger trust.

She commended FAAN staff at both airports for their professionalism and dedication, noting that their discipline was central to the successful certification outcome. She reaffirmed that under her leadership, FAAN has become more proactive in embedding safety culture, strengthening oversight systems, and driving continuous improvement across airport operations nationwide.

FAAN however disclosed that Enugu and Maiduguri airports remain works in progress, saying efforts are being intensified to achieve full network-wide certification in line with ICAO expectations.

Nigeria’s airport certification journey formally gathered momentum in 2017, when Murtala Muhammed International Airport became the first aerodrome in the country to receive certification. Later that year, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport followed, marking a turning point in Nigeria’s compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards under Annex 14 and national regulations.