How Kalu’s Allegations Disparage Nigeria’s Regulatory Authority and the Aviation Industry

L-R: MD NAMA Engr. Ahmed Farouk, DGCA Captain Chris Najomo and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo (SAN)

In a country where the aviation sector has fought hard to earn global respect through professionalism, reform, and rigorous safety oversight, the comments by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu have landed like unexpected turbulence —not just for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), but for the entire Nigerian aviation ecosystem.

On Wednesday, during a Senate session in Abuja, the former Abia State Governor and ex-airline owner (Slok Air) alleged that some Nigerian airline pilots use illicit drugs such as Indian hemp before operating flights.

He further accused regulatory agencies — including the NCAA and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) — of negligence in supervising flight crew fitness, suggesting that “nobody checks their blood pressure, nobody checks anything.”

Kalu even claimed that modern aircraft “do not need pilots to fly,” implying that autopilot systems have replaced human control — a statement that contradicts every known aviation standard and operational reality.

For an industry that thrives on public confidence and is heavily reliant on international credibility, such sweeping generalizations have far-reaching implications.

Senator Kalu, his defunct Airline Slok Air

A Disservice to a Reformed System

The Nigerian aviation industry has undergone tremendous transformation in the past decade. From achieving a near-zero accident record in scheduled commercial operations to attaining compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), Nigeria’s safety oversight performance has remained one of the strongest in sub-Saharan Africa.

The achievements of the last 22 months under the leadership of Captain Chris Najomo, the DGCA is particularly stirring, one that earned Nigeria, the DG and the NCAA laurels and commendations both at home and abroad.

The NCAA, the country’s apex aviation regulator, has consistently enforced stringent safety standards. Every pilot operating within Nigeria’s airspace must possess valid licenses and medical certificates, renewed after rigorous medical examinations by NCAA-authorized examiners.

According to the DG, these evaluations cover cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, and metabolic assessments, ensuring pilots are medically and mentally fit for duty. The Authority also mandates random alcohol and drug testing, as stipulated in Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 8.5.1.5.

“It is therefore inaccurate to suggest that pilots operate under the influence of substances or without adequate checks,” Najomo stated. “The processes in place are thorough and consistent with global standards prescribed by ICAO.”

By dismissing these systems as “nonexistent,” Senator Kalu’s remarks inadvertently undermine years of reform, staff professionalism, and the credibility Nigeria has built within the international aviation community.

DGCA Captain Chris Ona Najomo

Implications for Public Confidence

Public trust is the cornerstone of the aviation industry. One sensational comment from a high-profile public figure can spark unnecessary fear and misconceptions among passengers.

When statements like “pilots use Indian hemp before flying” are made on the floor of the National Assembly, the message does not only reach domestic audiences but resonates globally — especially in an era when information spreads rapidly across digital platforms.

Such claims can discourage foreign airlines and investors, erode passenger confidence, and cast doubt on the integrity of Nigerian pilots who have, for decades, upheld professionalism and safety even under challenging conditions.

As one senior pilot, who preferred anonymity, put it: “Our licenses and medical certifications are renewed more frequently than most professions in Nigeria. For someone to allege that we smoke hemp before flights are both unfair and damaging to the image of every hardworking airman in this country.”

A Blow to the Reputation of Regulators

The NCAA, NAMA, and other aviation agencies operate under international supervision and periodic audits. The NCAA, in particular, is recognized by ICAO for maintaining high compliance levels. Nigeria’s last ICAO audit placed it among the top countries in Africa with effective safety oversight capabilities.

By alleging that regulators are “not doing their job,” Senator Kalu risks disparaging not just individuals, but an entire institution that has consistently demonstrated competence and earned the confidence of global aviation bodies.

Moreover, his suggestion that aircraft no longer need pilots reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of modern aviation technology. While most new-generation aircraft are equipped with advanced autopilot and autoland systems, these do not replace human pilots. Take-offs are performed manually, and even during automatic landings, pilots are in full control — ready to intervene at any moment.

The NCAA has clarified that no airport in Nigeria is certified for Category III (CAT III) operations, which are required for fully automated landings. All landings within Nigerian airspace are manually executed by pilots, supervised and monitored according to international standards.

Aviation Safety: Built on Facts, Not Anecdotes

Aviation safety is data-driven. Allegations must be backed by evidence, not anecdotal experiences or distant memories. While the Senator’s claims about once stopping a pilot from flying him may have been genuine concern at the time, generalizing such isolated incidents without proof risks tarnishing an entire profession.

The NCAA’s recent enforcement record contradicts any notion of regulatory laxity. Only in August 2025, the Authority suspended a ValueJet pilot’s license for breaching standard operating procedures — a clear sign of zero tolerance for safety violations.

In essence, aviation oversight in Nigeria is not based on “assumptions” but on constant inspection, audits, and strict adherence to ICAO standards.

Senator Kalu (left) inside a Gulfstream G650 with a friend

The Need for Responsible Commentary

While lawmakers have the constitutional right to oversight, such roles must be exercised with responsibility and precision, especially when dealing with highly technical industries like aviation. Broad, unverified statements can undo years of confidence-building and paint a distorted picture of national capability.

The NCAA’s diplomatic but firm response to Senator Kalu’s comments demonstrates maturity and professionalism. By providing detailed clarification, the Authority not only defended its integrity but also reassured the flying public that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe, secure, and professionally managed.

We Must Protect the Reputation of Nigerian Aviation

Nigeria’s aviation industry has long outgrown the era of weak regulation and safety compromises. Today, its airspace is managed by skilled professionals, guided by modern systems, and audited by global agencies.

To suggest otherwise — without evidence — is not just unfair; it undermines the collective effort of pilots, engineers, controllers, and regulators who ensure that millions of passengers travel safely every year.

Senator Kalu’s remarks may have been made in good faith, but in substance, they risk disparaging a system that is internationally respected. The NCAA’s response, grounded in data and law, reaffirms what the facts already show: Nigeria’s aviation industry is one of the safest and most strictly regulated in Africa.

As Captain Najomo aptly put it, “The safety of air transport operations in Nigeria remains paramount and uncompromised. The NCAA has never and will never tolerate any act that endangers public confidence in the aviation system.”

And that — not unsubstantiated claims — is what should guide public discourse in the nation’s aviation space.