The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) has Commissioned a Flight Data Centre in Abuja, in the pursuit of global aviation safety standards.
The facility, located at the Authority’s headquarters, was officially unveiled during a one-day training workshop for frontline managers who will oversee its operations.
Speaking at the occasion, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, described the Flight Data Centre as more than an infrastructure project.
According to him, the center symbolizes Nigeria’s renewed focus on proactive safety management.
He said that its commissioning by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, underscores its national importance.
“This initiative is not just about technology; it is about safeguarding lives and securing the future of Nigerian aviation.
“We are investing in your competence because this is more than a training programme—it is an investment in our collective future and a statement of our commitment to excellence.”
The DGCA explained that the centre will enable the NCAA to collect and analyse flight data in real time, thereby identifying potential safety deficiencies before they escalate into incidents or accidents.
He said that the authority would aspire to evolve from a compliance-based oversight model to a performance-based, predictive system that prevents risks rather than merely responding to them.
Najomo acknowledged the contributions of his team, commending the Director of Special Duties, Horatius Egua for his dedication in ensuring the project’s completion.
Egua recalled that the project had been stalled since 2016, but was revived under Najomo’s leadership.
He added that the facility would play a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s Safety Management System while providing hands-on training for managers tasked with overseeing its operations.
Among the benefits of the centre are improved safety oversight, better regulatory compliance, enhanced incident investigation, risk management and trend analysis.
The facility will also foster stakeholder collaboration, reduce operational costs and enhance Nigeria’s credibility in the global aviation community.
Dignitaries at the event included the Executive Director of the Banjul Accord Group Safety Oversight Organisation, representatives from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, APS facilitators and other key industry stakeholders.
With the Flight Data Centre now operational, industry experts believe Nigeria has taken a major step toward aligning its aviation standards with global best practices, while ensuring that safety remains at the heart of its operations.
