The former head of the now-defunct ADC Airlines and experienced pilot, Augustine Okon, believes Nigeria is still in a position to reclaim its title as Africa’s leading aviation hub. He argues that such a revival hinges on steadfast reforms aimed at safety, discipline within institutions, and significant long-term investments in both infrastructure and the workforce.
Mr. Okon made these comments at an aviation stakeholders' session held in Lagos at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in late January. This meeting convened various regulators, airline operators, and aviation professionals to assess the current status of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s aviation history, he highlighted that there was a time when Nigerian engineers and pilots operated intercontinental flights and managed large-scale aircraft maintenance locally. He reminisced about how Nigerian professionals adeptly flew Boeing 707s, 747s, and DC-10s to Europe and North America while conducting extensive C-check maintenance on Boeing 737 aircraft right here in Lagos.
“Yet today, Nigeria lacks a national carrier and substantial in-country maintenance capacity,” Okon lamented.
He attributed the decline of Nigeria's aviation not to a lack of skilled personnel but rather to inconsistent policies, weak institutional frameworks, and a failure to carry out long-lasting aviation strategies.
Despite the challenges, he noted that Nigeria’s population, which exceeds 220 million, its strategic location, and a burgeoning domestic air travel market still provide a solid foundation for leading aviation development within West and Central Africa.
Emphasizing that any credible revival must be rooted in safety, Mr. Okon advocated for a strong, independent NCAA that operates free from political pressure and adheres to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. He stated that overhauling Nigeria’s airspace and integrating advanced surveillance systems, modern communication, navigation infrastructures, and digital air-traffic management are essential steps to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Addressing the pertinent issue of aircraft maintenance, he stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to cut back on its dependence on foreign maintenance facilities. He pointed to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as an optimal location for establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center, with supplementary facilities in Lagos and Abuja. He asserted that boosting local maintenance capabilities would conserve foreign currency, increase aircraft availability, and elevate the technical abilities of Nigerian aviation engineers.
Mr. Okon also underscored the significance of developing human capital in the sector. He pinpointed the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria as crucial to the future of Nigerian aviation. Upgrading this institution to meet international standards would ensure that training for pilots and cabin crew for flights operating in Nigeria can occur domestically, following ICAO- approved programs.
He expressed that sustained investments in training infrastructures and global partnerships would position Nigeria as a regional hub for aviation training, supplying skilled professionals to other countries across Africa.
Discussing the longstanding absence of a national carrier, Mr. Okon indicated that Nigeria requires a more robust model that mitigates the issues associated with complete government ownership and the challenges faced by isolated private operators. He called for a structured framework that safeguards international traffic rights and long-haul services while ensuring domestic airlines maintain operational autonomy.
In conclusion, he asserted that the consistent application of aviation reforms could substantially grow Nigeria's aviation workforce over the next decade while significantly boosting contributions to gross domestic product, employment rates, and foreign exchange earnings.
“Aviation does not come about by coincidence,” Okon emphasized. “It is established through foresight, robust institutions, and skilled individuals. If Nigeria focuses on safety, education, and maintenance effectively, it can transition from merely recovering to leading in African aviation.”
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