The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria’s judiciary and the aviation regulatory authority to ensure safety, accountability, and justice in the sector.
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Keyamo made the remarks on Thursday at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Judges Conference 2025, themed “The Role of Judges in Sustaining Nigeria’s Adherence to Applicable International Conventions in Relation to Carriage by Air.” He emphasized that the ministry aims to build a system that inspires confidence among passengers, investors, and international partners.
“When passengers or operators believe they will receive fair hearing and reasoned justice, confidence grows. And with confidence comes investment,” Keyamo said. He added that aviation disputes are often highly technical, requiring not only legal knowledge but also an understanding of international standards, insurance mechanisms, and operational realities.
The minister commended NCAA for convening the conference, noting that it bridges the communication gap between regulators and judges, ensuring consistent interpretation of regulations.
NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, highlighted the judiciary’s crucial role in enforcing Nigeria’s obligations under international conventions, including the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation and the 1999 Montreal Convention. “Through judicial interpretation, judges uphold not just the letter of the law, but its spirit, balancing the interests of passengers, operators, regulators, and the state,” Najomo said. He also affirmed NCAA’s commitment to international standards, transparent governance, and robust oversight.
Representing the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Gladys Odegbaro, Director of the Solicitor Department, noted that recent litigation has clarified the interface between the Montreal Convention and domestic law, producing important jurisprudence for judges, regulators, and practitioners. She emphasized that claims for damages arising from carriage by air must align with both international and local legal frameworks.
In a separate development, Minister Keyamo strongly condemned statements by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu alleging substance abuse among Nigerian pilots and cabin crew, describing the claims as “reckless, baseless, and politically motivated.” Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, in a detailed rebuttal titled “Leadership, Responsibility, and the Recklessness of Words — Setting the Record Straight on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s Aviation Allegations”, warned that such statements could sow panic among travelers and undermine the credibility of the aviation sector.
Moshood emphasized that Nigeria’s aviation industry operates under strict safety regulations, with routine medical and psychological assessments for licensed personnel in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. He also referenced Senator Kalu’s past in aviation, recalling the rise and collapse of his airline, Slok Air, which ceased operations in 2008.
Defending Keyamo’s leadership, the statement highlighted reforms in the aviation sector, including the implementation of the IDERA Framework to strengthen aircraft leasing and financing standards, negotiation of new Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs), consumer protection initiatives via an NCAA digital portal, upgrades to major airports like Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and enhanced regulatory oversight aligning agencies under a unified, performance-driven vision.
“These reforms reflect a system being rebuilt on integrity and international best practice, not one plagued by negligence or substance abuse,” Moshood said. He urged politicians to exercise restraint in public commentary, noting that the aviation sector requires encouragement, not careless words that could undermine public trust and Nigeria’s international reputation.
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