From Chinelo Obogo
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) may review the N30 million fee charged for airport permits, following stakeholders’ pleas for reduced costs to encourage investment. The NCAA also warned that, from January 1, 2026, local airports and airstrips operating without valid permits will face sanctions.
At the maiden Airstrip Owners/Operators Stakeholders’ Engagement in Lagos on Monday, Godwin Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, responded to calls for a fee review.
“I completely agree with you because by doing that it would look like the government will be making less money but we are actually going to be making more money. We have a population of over 200 million people with conservatively less than three million people who are actively flying. So, it is also a big opportunity that if we are able to charge less more people will be able to fly,” he said.
Balang noted that only a few of Nigeria’s 92 airstrips currently hold valid operational permits. These include operational, non-operational, and airstrips under rehabilitation or construction. Of the 92, 68 are managed by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while 24 are owned by individuals and private organisations.
The NCAA has informed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that, from 1 January 2026, local airports under its management without proper permits will face sanctions. “FAAN has been apprised that effective from 1st January 2026 local airports without appropriate permits under its management would be sanctioned accordingly. This is not a threat but a collective resolve,” Balang said. He cited Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2022, which authorises the NCAA to certify aerodrome operations and set safety standards.
NCAA Director General Capt. Chris Najomo said the engagement aimed to improve communication with state and private airstrip operators, clarify regulatory requirements, address challenges, and promote global best practices.
“It is my fervent hope that these objectives will be fully realised and airstrip operations in Nigeria will, henceforth, be conducted in strict compliance with all regulatory provisions and global best practices,” he said.
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