International Body, ICAO Rates Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania Above Nigeria In Aviation Security, Quality Control, Others

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently conducted a security audit in Nigeria, highlighting significant shortcomings compared to Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania. The audit, part of the Universal Security Audit Programme, assessed critical areas such as inflight security, passenger and baggage security, and legislation across Lagos and Abuja airports.Nigeria received a score of 71.04%, trailing behind Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania, which scored above 80%. This decline is stark compared to Nigeria’s impressive 96% score in 2015, a feat that earned accolades at the 2019 ICAO Assembly. The audit’s findings pointed to several deficiencies, including inadequate personnel in Aviation Security (AVSEC), poor passenger facilitation, and weak oversight of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).The audit attributed Nigeria’s decline to mismanagement and the appointment of unqualified personnel in critical positions within aviation agencies. These issues have compromised safety protocols and regulatory oversight, significantly impacting Nigeria’s aviation sector. Despite efforts to engage aviation security experts for a mock audit prior to the ICAO assessment, substantial gaps remained unresolved.In contrast, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania demonstrated robust regulatory frameworks and effective oversight, scoring significantly higher in all evaluated categories. The auditors emphasized that since 2015, aviation security standards have evolved with new protocols and recommended practices, necessitating updated compliance measures from all assessed countries.Experts underscored the complexity of comparing Nigeria’s current score to previous assessments due to evolving standards and increased regulatory demands. They highlighted the expansion in protocols from about 300 to over 400-500 since 2015, reflecting broader international aviation security improvements.Despite Nigeria’s challenges, the audit did acknowledge some strengths in legislative oversight within the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). However, concerns remain over the sector’s overall preparedness and adherence to international standards, especially in light of the substantial drop in audit scores over the past decade.In conclusion, while Nigeria faces critical deficiencies in aviation security and regulatory oversight, the ICAO audit underscores the need for comprehensive reforms to align with global standards and restore international confidence in the country’s aviation sector.