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Nigerian Air Travellers Turn To Prayers As Aviation Disasters Surge

Published

1 month ago

Feb 2, 2025.

Nigerian aviation faces repeated near-crash incidents, shaking passenger confidence.
Experts criticize regulators for poor oversight and outdated infrastructure.
NCAA reassures Nigerians, pledging stricter enforcement and safety measures.

A series of near-crash incidents in Nigeria’s aviation industry have raised concerns among passengers, with many opting for road travel due to safety fears. However, some frequent fliers remain undeterred, placing their faith in divine protection.

The past year has been turbulent for the Nigerian aviation sector, with multiple accidents and close calls despite regulatory efforts to maintain safety standards. Over 13 months, at least 10 major incidents have rattled the industry.

One of the most notable was the crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, which claimed eight lives. In April, a Dana MD-82 aircraft skidded off the runway, leading to the airline’s suspension. Weeks later, a XeJet Airlines Embraer 145 veered off Runway 18L in Lagos, prompting an investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

In November, an Air Peace flight was forced to return to Benin after developing a technical fault mid-flight. The following month, a Max Air aircraft suffered an engine fire 10 minutes after takeoff in Maiduguri, triggering an emergency landing. Among the relieved passengers was Borno’s Deputy Governor, Usman Kadafur.

Other incidents include an Allied Air Cargo aircraft’s tyre burst in Abuja, a United Airlines flight’s emergency return to Lagos, and repeated safety breaches by Max Air, which led to a three-month suspension by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Following these incidents, passengers have voiced their concerns. Mrs. Olasupo, a United Airlines passenger, described the terrifying moment her plane suddenly dropped mid-air. Another passenger, Aina Mathins, criticized Nigeria’s aviation regulators for lax safety enforcement, calling for urgent reforms.

Similarly, Mrs. Ayodele Adeojo warned that continued failures could push more travelers to avoid air travel altogether, urging the government to prioritize aviation safety.

Aviation professionals have repeatedly raised alarms over deteriorating airport infrastructure, particularly outdated runways. FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, revealed that Nigeria’s airports require N580bn for urgent repairs.

Former Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Rector, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, accused the NCAA of failing to conduct regular airline audits. He urged regulators to enforce stricter oversight and suspend unsafe airlines.

Aviation expert Capt. Muhammed Badamasi also criticized the NCAA’s oversight, emphasizing the need for a proactive rather than reactive approach to airline safety.

In response, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, Micheal Achimugu, assured Nigerians that safety remains a top priority. He revealed that new sanctions were being implemented, with two operators’ licenses set for revocation.

He defended the NCAA’s track record, citing past airline suspensions and regulatory actions. “These issues are not unique to Nigeria. Safety is our top priority, and we are taking decisive action to strengthen oversight,” he stated.

Nigerian Aviation Disasters

The President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Yinka Folami, urged stakeholders to prioritize passenger safety and restore confidence in air travel. He called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to prevent future tragedies.