NCAA DG Lauds Establishment of Flight Data Centre as Milestone in Aviation Safety
The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has hailed the establishment of the Authority’s new Flight Data Centre as a major step forward in Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring aviation safety.
Speaking at the opening of a one-day training workshop for frontline managers of the centre, held on Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, Capt. Najomo described the facility as a critical tool for advancing proactive safety measures in the aviation sector.
He explained that the Flight Data Centre is essential for the systematic collection and analysis of flight data, enabling the early identification of potential safety threats before they develop into incidents or accidents. According to him, the centre represents a shift from traditional, reactive safety oversight to a more modern, predictive, and performance-based approach.
“This is more than a training exercise,” Najomo said. “It is an investment in your capacity and competence, and ultimately, in the future of our aviation sector. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence and safety.”
Capt. Najomo further noted that the centre will support improved safety oversight, ensure stronger regulatory compliance, aid in incident investigations, enable the monitoring of operational performance, and support trend and risk analysis.
He commended the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Horatius Egua, and his team for their dedication in bringing the long-delayed project to life. The initiative, which had remained dormant since 2016, finally came to fruition under the leadership of the current NCAA administration.
In his remarks, Mr. Egua recalled the project's stalled history and expressed gratitude to Capt. Najomo for his decisive approval and continued support, especially in prioritising the training of frontline personnel to operate the centre effectively.
Egua also highlighted the broader benefits of the Flight Data Centre, including its role in enhancing the Safety Management System (SMS), promoting hands-on training, improving coordination among stakeholders, enabling detailed analysis of flight operations, supporting cost-effective decision-making, and boosting Nigeria’s credibility within the global aviation community.
Both leaders underscored that the workshop and the centre’s operationalisation mark a significant advancement toward the NCAA's goal of becoming one of Africa’s leading civil aviation regulators.
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