April 23, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s record-breaking 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating awarded by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), describing it as a clear affirmation of the country’s commitment to global best practices and a major boost to investor confidence.
The President’s commendation followed the outcome of the latest ICAO audit conducted under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which assessed Nigeria’s ability to effectively manage aviation safety risks and uphold international standards.
THEWILL earlier reported that Nigeria’s aviation sector recorded a landmark achievement, attaining a 91.4 per cent Effective Implementation (EI) score in the latest safety audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a performance that surpasses the global benchmark and underscores the success of ongoing reforms in the industry.
The 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation (EI) score marks the highest ever recorded by Nigeria since it began participating in the programme.
The result emerged from the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) carried out between April 15 and 22, 2026, representing a significant leap from the country’s previous 70 per cent score recorded during the 2023 Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA).
ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is responsible for coordinating the principles and techniques of international air navigation while fostering the safe and orderly development of global air transport systems.
Through its USOAP framework, the organisation evaluates member states to ensure that critical safety oversight systems are in place and functioning efficiently.
At a debriefing session held at the headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja, the ICAO audit team announced Nigeria’s impressive score, placing the country significantly above both the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent.
The milestone underscores a remarkable transformation in Nigeria’s aviation safety performance and positions the country as a leading force in Africa’s air transport sector.
President Tinubu noted that the achievement aligns with his administration’s broader economic vision, which prioritises infrastructure development and transportation as critical drivers of national growth.
He emphasised that building a safe, secure, and efficient aviation sector remains central to positioning Nigeria as a regional and global aviation hub.
According to the President, the improved rating reflects deliberate policy direction and sustained reforms aimed at ensuring that Nigeria not only meets but exceeds international aviation standards.
To actualise this vision, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had earlier unveiled a comprehensive five-point agenda designed to strengthen the aviation value chain.
A key component of this agenda is strict compliance with safety regulations and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s ICAO safety rating.
Tinubu commended the Ministry for its strategic leadership and dedication, noting that the outcome of the audit serves as a strong endorsement of Nigeria’s aviation safety framework.
“This rating affirms the robustness of our aviation safety standards and enhances Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for investment in aviation infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and airline operations,” the President stated.
He further urged the Ministry and all relevant stakeholders not to relent in their efforts, stressing the importance of reviewing and fully implementing all recommendations made by ICAO auditors during the mission.
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