The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has approved a reshuffle of top directors within the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), amid growing concerns over alleged corruption, regulatory lapses, and recent aircraft incidents.
The changes affect critical safety departments of the aviation regulator and come days after reports surfaced alleging inefficiency and compromised oversight, particularly within the NCAA’s Directorate of Airworthiness Standards.
The reshuffle also follows a series of aircraft incidents highlighted in reports released by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) on December 14 and December 16, 2025. The reports detailed the crash-landing of a Hawker 800XP aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with eight people on board, as well as the crash of a Cessna 172 aircraft during approach at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. No fatalities were recorded in either incident.
Barely a week before the redeployment, Keyamo had publicly acknowledged being aware of circulating allegations against the aviation authority. He confirmed receiving documents relating to the claims and pledged that a thorough investigation would be carried out, with findings made public.
Speaking at the time, the minister expressed concern that despite the allegations being widely discussed, no decisive action had been taken by relevant authorities. He stressed that air safety remained non-negotiable under his leadership.
Less than seven days later, the leadership shake-up was implemented.
As part of the changes, Godwin Balang, formerly Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, has been redeployed to head the influential Directorate of Airworthiness Standards. Alhaji Ahmad Abba, previously Director of Special Duties at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, has taken over Balang’s former position at the Directorate of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards.
Balang formally resumed duties at the Airworthiness Directorate on Tuesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja.
The Directorate of Airworthiness Standards plays a central role in aviation safety, overseeing aircraft certification, maintenance compliance, issuance of Certificates of Airworthiness, aircraft registration, and adherence to International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations. It also approves Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities and develops technical standards to ensure aircraft remain safe throughout their operational life.
However, the department has recently been under intense scrutiny, following allegations of regulatory weaknesses and irregular approvals. These concerns were heightened by earlier accidents, including the August 1, 2023, crash of a Jabiru J430 aircraft shortly after it was reportedly issued a Special Certificate of Airworthiness.
A ministry source familiar with the development said the redeployment was a deliberate move to strengthen oversight in a sensitive unit, adding, “The airworthiness department is where safety either stands or collapses. When leadership is changed at that level, it is rarely accidental.”
When contacted, the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, downplayed suggestions that the reshuffle was directly linked to the allegations, insisting it was part of routine administrative adjustments.
He said, “It has nothing to do with the complaints; sometimes you just must do some things. The investigation is still ongoing.”
Despite the explanation, industry observers see the redeployment as a signal that the ministry is tightening controls within the aviation regulator, as investigations into the alleged lapses and safety concerns continue.
