Nigeria has recorded a significant milestone in its aviation sector with the official certification of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) formally issued the certifications on December 19, 2025, in Abuja, following an extensive regulatory and compliance process carried out in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The certification exercise involved months of intensive work, including multiple safety audits, infrastructure assessments, and operational inspections. Airport facilities underwent major upgrades, with rehabilitation of runways, enhancement of airfield lighting systems, and modernization of firefighting and rescue equipment to meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14 standards.
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, confirmed that the certification process found no major safety deficiencies at both airports, affirming their readiness for international operations.
Speaking on the achievement, NCAA’s Mr. Godwin Balang commended the collaborative efforts between airport managers and regulatory inspectors, noting that the close cooperation helped identify and address safety gaps efficiently.
The certification is projected to lead to lower airfares, as domestic airlines such as Ibom Air and ValueJet may pass cost savings on to passengers, while international carriers will be able to deploy newer aircraft to the certified airports.
With this development, Nigeria now boasts four certified international airports, reinforcing its commitment to global aviation standards and marking a step forward in delivering safer, more efficient, and more affordable air travel across the country.
