NCAA to sanction unlicensed airports, airstrips from January 2026

• Published On: 28 April 2025 at 21:10

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced that local airports and airstrips that operate without legal permits would face penalty beginning January 1, 2026.

This warning was issued by the NCAA's Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Godwin Balang, during the Airstrip Owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme in Lagos on Monday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Balang noted that the move was not intended as a threat, but rather as a collaborative will to enforce regulatory compliance throughout the aviation sector.

According to the Balang, Nigeria has roughly 92 airstrips nationally, as reported in the NCAA database.

"The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned that municipal airports that operate without the requisite permissions will face penalty beginning January 1, 2026.

"The Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at NCAA, Godwin Balang, made this known on Monday at the Airstrip Owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme in Lagos," a portion of the NAN report stated.

According to the extant NCAA Airstrip database, Nigeria has approximately 92 airstrips (functioning, non-operational, and those in the process of rehabilitation/new construction). Surprisingly, he claims that a few are already in possession of legal functioning permissions."

Balang stated that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development manages 68 airstrips, while 24 are owned by individuals and private organizations, underlining the importance of better collaboration between the NCAA and the Ministry to improve regulatory control.

He explained that Sections 71(3) and (4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022 allow the NCAA to approve aerodrome operations and establish minimum safety criteria.

In view of recent developments in the aviation industry, Balang stated that the Authority would revise its laws and place a stronger priority on aviation security to handle growing dangers.

Also speaking at the ceremony was NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo, who emphasized the Authority's commitment to enforce national legislation and worldwide best practices.

He claimed that the engagement was intended to improve communication between state and private airstrip operators, explain regulatory requirements, and encourage the adoption of global standards.

Najomo further stated that the NCAA was drafting specific regulations for airstrips, as opposed to the harsher requirements used for big aerodromes, in order to promote general aviation expansion while maintaining safety.