By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has announced a major milestone in the nation’s aviation sector, revealing that Nigeria’s compliance score under the Cape Town Convention has risen from 70.5% to 75.5%. The improvement follows the signing and operationalization of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) procedure and Practice Direction, a key mechanism for aircraft financing and deregistration.
Speaking at the opening of a high-level continental forum on the Cape Town Convention Africa Event, the Minister said the development reflects the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to aligning with international aviation standards and promoting investor confidence.
The Minister who was represented by Dr. Mrs. Anastasia Gbem, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority noted, “this milestone strengthens Nigeria’s position as a regional leader in aviation law reform and financing, signaling to lessors, financiers, and investors that Nigeria is open for business on globally accepted terms,” he said.
The Minister emphasized the importance of continental collaboration, noting that the full benefits of the Cape Town Convention can only be realized through harmonized implementation across African states.
“No country advances in isolation,” he stated. “African nations must collectively embrace the Convention’s principles, align national laws, and ensure consistency in enforcement to speak with one strong voice in the global aviation financing ecosystem.”
He highlighted that the ongoing conference would provide a platform for experts to share insights on best practices, national law alignment, and the roles of courts and civil aviation authorities.
“Our goal must extend beyond compliance to optimization—leveraging the Convention to lower financing costs, improve access to modern aircraft, boost investor confidence, and enhance safety and operational efficiency,” he added.
Commending the Aviation Working Group (AWG) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) for their support, the Minister reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to lead collaborative efforts toward a more connected and competitive African aviation market. “The Cape Town Convention offers Africa not just affordable access to aircraft, but a framework to build trust, stability, and sustainability,” he said. “Nigeria stands ready to continue leading, learning, and partnering in this shared vision of a prosperous aviation ecosystem under the AfCFTA framework.”
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona Najomo welcomed participants to the Cape Town Convention Africa Event in Abuja, expressing gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), and the Aviation Working Group for organizing the forum.
He described the Convention and its Aircraft Protocol as landmark instruments that have reshaped aviation finance globally, lowering financing costs, expanding access to modern aircraft, and encouraging investment in aviation infrastructure.
He highlighted Nigeria’s significant progress in implementing the Convention’s provisions, noting that reforms introduced in collaboration with the Ministry, judiciary, and industry stakeholders have strengthened the country’s compliance framework. In 2024, the issuance of a Federal High Court Practice Direction helped improve Nigeria’s Cape Town Convention Compliance Index from 49% to 75.5%, placing the country among the top-compliant nations worldwide. The DG emphasized that this achievement reflects a stable, predictable, and investor-friendly environment for aviation finance.
While celebrating progress, the DG stressed that full value comes from effective implementation and regional collaboration. He called for coordination among regulators, policymakers, and industry actors to harmonize legal and regulatory frameworks across Africa. The two-day event, he said, would provide a platform for exchanging best practices, exploring legal and practical measures, and ensuring consistency in compliance, which in turn strengthens investor confidence and promotes sustainable aviation growth.
The NCAA DG reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to advancing the objectives of the Convention. “We will continue to strengthen our regulatory framework, enhance transparency, and collaborate with regional and international partners to ensure Nigeria remains a trusted and compliant aviation jurisdiction,” he said.
