Aviation Legal Expert Mr. Sowole Pekun has sharply criticized the current state of the Nigerian aviation industry, denouncing a lack of clarity in the roles and responsibilities of key agencies.
Speaking at the December 2024 Business Breakfast Meeting of the Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiatives (ASRTI) in Lagos, Pekun highlighted the confusion surrounding the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He argued that the Ministry should focus on policy guidance and international obligations, while the NCAA should function as the primary regulator.
Pekun expressed concern over the Ministry’s perceived overreach, stating, “What has been going on in this industry in the last time since this administration came here has been total chaos. It’s almost as though these agencies don’t have any heads any longer.”
He also decried the prolonged absence of appointed boards in aviation agencies, a trend that has persisted across multiple administrations.
“This minister’s background was a civil rights background. He worked with Gani Faweyimi. I’m shocked that up till now, the boards haven’t been appointed. And the head of the ministry is a civil rights and civil liberties person, I’m dumbfounded.”
Institutional Weakness and Corruption
Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (rtd), President of ASRTI, emphasized the critical need to strengthen institutions to combat corruption and ensure good governance.
“Institutions are the bedrock of society,” Onitiju stressed, arguing that weak institutions directly contribute to societal ills.
Onitiju specifically pointed to the importance of meritocracy and proper institutional governance, stating, “When you talk about meritocracy, it still has to be the same. It has to do with institutional governance itself, insisting on the right thing being done.”
Former NCAA DG Emphasizes Collaboration and Operator Needs
Former Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Engr. Benedict Adeyileka, stressed the importance of collaboration and a focus on operator needs within the aviation sector.
“You need a lot of sacrifice. I’m very convinced that we know what to do. How do we get it right? We need to be focused. We need to be selfless. This agency job is not a job that you get and you just go to sleep. You have to be very pragmatic”.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by current aviation leaders, Adeyileka emphasized the importance of understanding the Nigerian system and prioritizing service delivery over revenue collection.
He also expressed concern over the loss of skilled personnel due to inadequate remuneration and a lack of focus on human capital development.
Adeyileka concluded by urging current aviation leaders to prioritize collaboration, focus on operator needs, and invest in human capital development to ensure the sustainable growth of the Nigerian aviation sector.
