The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has carried out a major reshuffle of key directors within the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), amid reports of alleged corruption and inefficiency in the agency.
The changes come in the wake of concerns about compromised oversight within the NCAA’s Directorate of Airworthiness Standards, which plays a central role in ensuring the safety and airworthiness of civil aircraft.
This move follows recent reports from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board, released on December 14 and 16, 2025, documenting serious aircraft incidents. Among them, a Hawker 800XP carrying eight passengers crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while a Cessna 172 crashed on approach at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, though all four passengers on the latter aircraft survived.
In a report by ThisDay newspaper, Minister Keyamo acknowledged being aware of the allegations against the NCAA and confirmed receipt of related documents. He assured that a thorough investigation would be launched and that its findings would be made public.
Speaking to the newspaper, Keyamo expressed concern that, despite the documents being in the public domain, relevant authorities had not acted on the claims. He emphasized that, as Aviation Minister, he could not allow anything that would jeopardize air safety.
Less than a week later, the minister effected the reshuffle. The Directorate of Airworthiness Standards, responsible for aircraft certification, maintenance oversight, and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules, has been under scrutiny for alleged procedural lapses and irregularities. The department also handles aircraft registration, issues Certificates of Airworthiness, approves Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities, and develops technical standards to ensure flight safety.
Recent aircraft incidents added urgency to the situation. On December 14, 2025, a Hawker 800XP aircraft (5N-ISB) experienced a landing gear failure and crash-landed in Kano. Two days later, a Cessna 172 (5N-ASR) crashed in Owerri during approach. Earlier, on August 1, 2023, a Jabiru J430 (5N-CCQ) reportedly crashed shortly after receiving a Special Certificate of Airworthiness, highlighting concerns about approvals granted without sufficient technical scrutiny.
Under the reshuffle, Godwin Balang, formerly Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, has been reassigned to lead the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards. Alhaji Ahmad Abba, previously Director of Special Duties at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, now heads the Directorate of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards. Balang officially assumed his new role at NCAA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sources within the ministry, speaking anonymously, noted that changes at the airworthiness department are often strategic, given its critical role in aviation safety. “The airworthiness department is where safety either stands or collapses. Leadership changes at that level are rarely accidental,” one source said.
When contacted, the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, described the reshuffle as an administrative measure, stating that the ongoing investigation into the allegations is still in progress. “It has nothing to do with the complaints; sometimes you just have to make changes. The investigation continues,” he said.
