The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the National Insurance Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen oversight of aviation insurance and enhance protection for airlines, passengers and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja and includes plans to establish a Joint Technical Committee on Aviation Insurance.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, said the partnership would enhance aviation safety, financial resilience and regulatory compliance while improving protection for passengers and other industry stakeholders.

Najomo said the agreement marked the culmination of a longstanding partnership between the two regulatory agencies.

He said, “I am delighted to host this landmark event marking the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the National Insurance Commission on cooperation and collaboration in the regulation and oversight of aviation insurance in Nigeria.

“Today’s event represents the culmination of a long-standing collaborative relationship between our two regulatory institutions and reinforces our shared commitment to strengthening aviation safety, financial resilience, regulatory compliance and the protection of the travelling public and other aviation stakeholders in addition to the formal establishment of a Joint Technical Committee on Aviation Insurance.”

Najomo noted that although aviation is widely regarded as the safest mode of transportation globally, the industry remains vulnerable to high-impact operational risks.

“Aviation remains a paradoxical industry that is globally recognised as the safest mode of transportation, yet characterised by high-impact operational risks. As the Authority statutorily responsible for regulating and mitigating these risks at the State level, our safety mandate must be complemented by a robust, transparent, and verifiable insurance framework.

“This partnership with NAICOM strengthens that foundation and reinforces the operational safety and financial resilience of the Nigerian aviation sector,” he said.

The NCAA boss revealed that the NCAA and NAICOM had maintained close collaboration over the years, with the insurance regulator providing expert assessments of the adequacy and viability of insurance policies secured by aviation operators.
He said, “For several years, NCAA and NAICOM have worked closely, with NAICOM providing expert assessments on the adequacy and viability of insurance policies procured by aviation operators in compliance with Part 18.14 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

“This MoU we are signing today further deepens that cooperation, enhances stakeholder confidence, and supports cost-efficient operations while addressing challenges faced by Nigerian operators.”

He said the partnership was aimed not merely at enforcing compliance but at creating a balanced regulatory framework in which aviation safety and financial protection reinforced each other.

“Our objective is not merely to enforce compliance, but to establish a balanced regulatory environment in which aviation safety and financial protection complement each other.

“Through effective collaboration, we intend to promote sustainable insurance practices, minimise avoidable regulatory and operational challenges, while supporting the long-term growth and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation industry, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government,” Najomo stated.