NCAA Inaugurates Committee To Implement ECOWAS Aviation Reforms

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has inaugurated the National Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee (NATEOC) to coordinate the implementation of regional aviation reforms and guarantee Nigeria meets its obligations underneath the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, introduced the committee’s mandate throughout its inauguration on the authority’s company headquarters in Abuja on October 14, 2026.

Represented by the Director of Air Transport Regulation, Mrs Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Najomo stated the committee would assess Nigeria’s compliance with regional aviation insurance policies, establish implementation gaps, advocate vital coverage modifications and monitor progress.

He added that its duties included growing an implementation roadmap, reviewing related legal guidelines and rules, making certain the official publication of the regional coverage in Nigeria’s nationwide gazette and dealing with related regional establishments.

The committee’s inauguration follows the adoption of Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/24 by ECOWAS heads of state and authorities at their 66th Ordinary Session in Abuja on December 15, 2024. The Act establishes a typical regional coverage on aviation expenses, taxes and charges amongst member states.

The coverage is designed to scale back the excessive value of air journey, enhance transparency in aviation companies, strengthen financial oversight and encourage truthful competitors within the regional air transport market.

Najomo stated the committee was anticipated to translate the Act’s provisions into sensible and measurable nationwide actions in step with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Doc 9082, which offers steering on airport and air navigation service expenses.

He additionally burdened the significance of constructive engagement with trade stakeholders, notably home airline operators and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), to help efficient implementation of the reforms.

In her remarks, the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs Mary Tufano-Eche, urged members to fastidiously look at the authorized and legislative frameworks underpinning the Supplementary Act.

She stated the evaluate was vital to make sure the coverage was correctly integrated into Nigeria’s aviation regulatory framework with out creating conflicts with current home rules or related ICAO provisions.

NATEOC is a multi-agency committee comprising representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigeria Revenue Service and Federal Ministry of Finance.