FG reshuffles NCAA directors amid corruption allegations

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reshuffled critical directors in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, following rumours of corrupt practices by key officers of the aviation regulatory agency.

The reshuffle of the senior officers may not be unconnected with allegations of inefficiency and compromised oversight in the agency’s Directorate of Airworthiness Standards.

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This comes as the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board, on December 14, 2025, and December 16, 2025, respectively, issued reports indicating major aircraft incidents involving unscheduled aircraft.

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According to the reports, a Hawker 800XP with eight persons on board crash-landed at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while a Cessna 172 aircraft also crashed on approach at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.

However, none of the four persons on board the latter aircraft was hurt.

In a report by ThisDay newspaper barely a week ago, the minister confirmed awareness of the rumour against the agency and also confirmed receipt of documents in that regard.

Keyamo vowed to launch an investigation into the allegations and said he would make the results of the investigation public.

Speaking with the newspaper, the minister expressed worry that since the documents had been in the public space, concerned authorities had not reacted to the allegations. He said his ministry was conducting a comprehensive investigation into the matter, insisting that, as Minister of Aviation, he could not allow anything that would threaten air safety under his watch.

Less than seven days later, the reshuffle was effected under the directive of the minister.

The Directorate of Airworthiness Standards in the NCAA is a powerhouse through which the agency ensures civil aircraft are safe and meet high standards [The Punch#]