Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has pledged to continue to protect the rights of passengers and airline operators.

The Acting Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo also said actions taken by the regulatory body have led to safer skies and conformity with regulations by airline operators and other stakeholders.

He also hinted that the authority recently sanctioned five airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, due to failure to pay refund tickets.

Capt., who disclosed this at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja on Thursday during the celebration of 25 years of existence of the NCAA, also said he would remain resolute in discharging his duties.

On what Nigerians should expect this year, Najomo said: “We are going to enhance surveillance this year as per consumer protection. We are going to be protecting passenger rights and also protecting the airline’s rights. We believe that passengers must know their rights and their responsibilities. We will also ensure enhanced surveillance and ensure that all the airlines conform to safety and maintain regulations.

“By the end of 2025, we must be able to point to tangible successes. The aviation industry must be safe, secure, economically viable, and consumer-friendly. The technical and non-technical staff of relevant directorates directly in charge of these goals will be held responsible for any flaws.”

He also noted that efforts are ongoing to digitalise most of the processes in the authority for ease of doing business.

According to him: “We are digitalising most of our processes and

I am sure we will be fully digitalized by the end of the year to make doing business easy and seamless”.

On his achievements and challenges, since he assumed office the last year, Najomo said: “I have gone through a lot in the last year, but I have remained focused because I want to lay a legacy. I know there are lots of distractions but it is not affecting my work. I’m resolute in doing what I’m supposed to do. A lot of people have called for my confirmation as the DG of the NCAA, and I am certain that God brought me to the NCAA for a purpose. If I am asked to take a bow after my one year in an acting capacity, I will do so knowing that I have done a great job in the last one year. My confirmation is in the hands of Mr. President and when it comes to the time, he will do the needful.

“The Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President has allowed us to perform optimally. Our objective is to make sure that every airline complies with regulations. Recently, we sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time. The country manager of Ethiopian Airlines came to see me on the matter. So, this year, we hope to see better compliance with our regulation”.

Najomo said the authority has enhanced safety surveillance because of safety issues which has made airspace safer.

He said: “And let me be honest with you, what Mr. The President has done with his Renewed Hope agenda has ensured that our minister, with his five key points agenda, has, of course, given us the opportunity to perform more. We are going to continue performing more. Our directors are on ground” he further assured.

“Anything that will make sure that every airline complies, we will do. You can see recently we had to sanction some airlines and they accepted their sanctions” he further stated.

“We sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time. So, you know, this year, 2025, we hope to see more and better” he assured.

Capt. Najomo also told the staff he’s focused on delivering on his core job functions and meeting his performance targets so that he’s not distracted by sponsored stories to attack him.

“The attacks are not affecting my work. There are no distractions. Because I’m resolute in doing what I’m supposed to do. My confirmation is in the hands of Mr. President. And when it comes to the time, he will do the needful. For now, it’s not distracting me. I’m doing my job” he stated.

On staff working conditions, he said his management is motivating staff in the best ways possible in addition to improved work space.