The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has reinforced the critical role of a board of directors in ensuring effective corporate governance within the agency.
Speaking at a Corporate Governance and Board Management Seminar organized by NCAA’s Directorate of Legal Services (DLS) in Lagos, Capt. Najomo underlined the importance of a clear governance framework to enhance regulatory oversight and improve Nigeria’s civil aviation industry.
According to him, while the NCAA Board is yet to be constituted, its eventual formation will be crucial in providing strategic direction, overseeing management, and ensuring compliance with statutory regulations in line with the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
He referenced the recent inauguration of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Board, noting that boards can be appointed for aviation parastatals at any time.
“A board is essential to run the agency properly, I have even committed to self-auditing to ensure we are doing the right thing.”
He explained that the NCAA Board would comprise four statutory members: the Chairman, a representative from the Ministry of Aviation, a representative from the Ministry of Defence, and the NCAA Director General while all other members will serve in an ex officio capacity.
The DGCA stated that, the NCAA’s legal foundation traces back to Decree No. 49 of 1999, which evolved into the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
This Act aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) State Safety Oversight requirements and outlines the Authority’s functions, powers, and responsibilities.
He called on the seminar’s consultants to analyze the Act’s provisions to foster collaboration between the NCAA Board and Management.
“I expect today’s discussions to highlight areas of mutual cooperation while mitigating potential conflicts through realistic solutions,” he said.
Reflecting on the NCAA’s recent silver jubilee celebration, Capt. Najomo stressed that the milestone was an opportunity to reposition the Authority for a safer, more secure, economically viable, and customer-focused aviation sector.
He also tasked the Directorate of Legal Services to develop a robust corporate governance framework that would empower Board members to fulfill their statutory duties effectively.
Capt. Najomo expressed confidence that the seminar’s deliberations would strengthen the NCAA’s governance framework, commending the expertise of the resource persons and the thoughtfully curated discussion topics.
The NCAA Director of Legal and Company Secretary, Mary Tufano-Eche, added that the forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reexamine emerging trends in corporate governance.
“The regulatory bodies in the sector must be prepared to enforce regulations, we are refreshing ourselves to remind everyone that corporate governance is about rules, laws, procedures, and policies.”
