Only Few Airstrips Have Appropriate Permit To Operate – NCAA

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Monday, raised the alarm that only a few Airstrips in Nigeria have operational permits.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement with airstrip owners and operators organised by the Authority in Lagos, the director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), NCAA, Engr Godwin Balang, said the Authority will from January 1, 2026, sanction any domestic airport, including airstrips, that have no valid operational permit.

Balang noted that there are 92 airstrips in Nigeria, and the federal government manages 68, while 24 belong to individuals and private organisations.

According to him, Section 71 (3) & (4) (a) of the CAA 2022 empowers the Authority to certify and grant permits to conduct Aerodrome operations in Nigeria and to establish minimum safety standards for the design, operation, and maintenance of Aerodrome.

He further added that, going forward, the authority will increase surveillance on the operations of airstrips in Nigeria.

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“At the inception of this Administration, the minister unveiled his agenda for the industry to which the DGCA had to sign a performance bond. In the bid to implement, one of the key deliverables for the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards is holding an airstrip owners and operators’ engagement to develop the sector for our common good.

“This engagement is an alignment with this mandate to advance airstrip regulation in Nigeria. It may interest this forum to note that as part of the moves to fulfil this mandate, two of our international Airports were recertified late last year, and we are working to certify others soon.

“Beyond this, 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. Today, our focus is on airstrips.

“There are about 92 Airstrips (Operational, Non-operational and some under rehabilitation/new constructions) in Nigeria based on the existing NCAA Airstrip database. Interestingly, a few are already up to date with their valid operational permits,” he said.

Balang noted that the aviation landscape has changed drastically in recent years, and the regulatory strategies must necessarily align with the realities of the season for a more impactful result.

“We would, therefore, need to tweak our regulations and other guiding documents accordingly. This is the crux of this engagement. It is worthy of mention that among these 92 airstrips, 68 are federal government airstrips being managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development while 24 belong to individuals and private organisations.

“This brings to the fore the need for deeper engagement of NCAA with the Ministry to streamline the operator and regulator status for effective management,” he said.

Balang added that, “Besides the basic AGA processes for permits, the importance of Aviation security will be emphasised,” adding that there is a need to fashion out strategies to address emerging threats while maximising the use of the airstrips to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Nigeria as a nation.

“Undoubtedly, regulatory duties have long gone past the threshold of ‘stick wielding; it is a strategic collaboration for effective results without compromising standards.”

The director general, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo said, the engagement aims to enhance communication between NCAA and state and private airstrip operators/owners; clarify regulatory requirements applicable to airstrip construction, operations and safety standards; and identify and address challenges faced by state and private airstrip operators.

He further stated that, the engagement was also to further explore collaborative opportunities for airstrip development and integration into Nigeria’s aviation system as well as to promote the adoption of global best practices in airstrip operations and management.