The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has described the establishment of the Flight Data Centre by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a landmark declaration of the nation’s commitment to aviation safety.
Speaking recently at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja during the opening of a one-day training workshop for frontline managers of the centre, Capt. Najomo noted that the facility’s importance was underscored by the fact that it was personally commissioned by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
According to him, the centre represents much more than infrastructure. “We are investing in your capacity and competence. This is more than a training programme—it is an investment in our collective future and a clear statement of our commitment to excellence,” he said.
The DGCA explained that the centre would enable proactive collection and analysis of flight data, helping to identify potential safety deficiencies before they escalate into incidents or accidents. He stressed the NCAA’s resolve to shift from compliance-based oversight to performance-based oversight, moving from reactive methods to proactive and predictive strategies.
Capt. Najomo commended the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Horatius Egua, and his team for their dedication to realising the NCAA’s vision of becoming one of the world’s leading civil aviation authorities.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Egua recalled that the project, which had been stalled since 2016, only became a reality with the DGCA’s approval. He lauded Capt. Najomo for supporting the ongoing training for frontline managers, noting that the centre would play a vital role in strengthening Safety Management Systems (SMS) and providing practical training.
He further outlined the benefits of the facility, which include enhanced safety oversight, regulatory compliance, improved incident investigation, operational performance monitoring, risk management, cost efficiency, and greater global credibility for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The workshop drew participants from across the aviation ecosystem, with representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Banjul Accord Group Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), APS facilitators, and other key stakeholders in attendance.
Leave a comment