CIVIL AVIATION ACT

What Is This Policy?

The Civil Aviation Act 2022 is Nigeria's primary legislation governing all aspects of civil aviation, including aircraft operations, airworthiness, safety oversight, aerodrome licensing, air traffic management, consumer rights, and the economic regulation of airlines. It updates and replaces the 2006 Act to reflect ICAO standards and Nigeria's current aviation challenges.

Who Does It Target?

Nigerian-registered airlines, foreign carriers operating scheduled and charter services to and from Nigeria Aircraft operators, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organisations, and aviation training schools Airport operators: FAAN (federal airports) and state government airport operators Air navigation service providers, weather services, and drone operators All aviation passengers with consumer rights entitlements under the Act

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Maintain a safe, secure, and efficient national aviation system compliant with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) Grow Nigeria's aviation sector to handle 30 million passengers annually by 2030, up from approximately 12 million in 2023 Develop a commercially viable national carrier and domestically competitive airline sector Protect passenger rights, reduce delays, and enforce compensation obligations on airlines

Key Features

NCAA as Safety Regulator: The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issues all aviation licences, type certificates, and operating permits; oversees safety oversight of all operators Air Passenger Rights: The Act mandates minimum compensation for flight delays (more than 3 hours), cancellations, and denied boarding; airlines must display passenger rights prominently Airworthiness Standards: All aircraft on the Nigerian register must comply with NCAA-issued airworthiness directives; foreign aircraft serving Nigeria subject to ramp inspections Drone (UAS) Regulation: Comprehensive unmanned aircraft system (UAS) registration and operational framework for commercial and recreational drones MRO Development: Policy supports the development of domestic MRO capacity to reduce reliance on overseas aircraft maintenance, which costs Nigeria over $2 billion annually Accident Investigation: The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) operates independently from NCAA to investigate all civil aviation accidents and incidents

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; 2022 Act fully operational; ICAO USOAP audit completed in 2023 with Nigeria achieving 61% effective implementation Implementing Body: Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB); Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Coverage: National; NCAA regulates all civil aviation activity within Nigerian territory and Nigerian-registered operators worldwide Airline Industry: Nigeria has approximately 8 domestic airlines; Air Peace is the largest with a fleet of over 30 aircraft; Nigeria awaits a designated national carrier

How to Access

Passengers: File complaints about flight delays, cancellations, or consumer rights violations with NCAA: ncaa.gov.ng | 0700 CALL NCAA (225 6222) Operators: Apply for airline operating licences, aircraft type certificates, and maintenance organisation approvals at NCAA: ncaa.gov.ng Drone Operators: Register unmanned aircraft with NCAA; obtain operational approvals for commercial drone flights: ncaa.gov.ng/uas Contact: NCAA: ncaa.gov.ng | 0700 CALL NCAA (225 6222) | NCAA House, 14 MKO Abiola Road, Ikeja, Lagos

Official Resources

Website: ncaa.gov.ng | faan.gov.ng Passenger Complaints: 0700 225 6222 | Contact: NCAA, 14 MKO Abiola Road, Opposite Domestic Terminal, Ikeja, Lagos Policy Summary | Source: NCAA, FMAAD, NCAA Act 2022, ICAO Nigeria USOAP 2023, Channels TV, PwC Nigeria Aviation Review | February 2026

Legal Framework

The Civil Aviation Act 2022 is Nigeria's primary legislation governing civil aviation, replacing the Civil Aviation (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act 2006. It operates under the 1999 Constitution (Second Schedule — aviation on the Exclusive Legislative List) and domesticates key ICAO Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention 1944). The Act aligns with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), the Cape Town Convention on aircraft equipment, and ECOWAS civil aviation regulations.