Nigeria’s aviation sector has recorded a major compliance milestone, with its rating under the Cape Town Convention climbing to 75.5 per cent, a significant improvement from 70.5 per cent.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the progress at the opening of the Cape Town Convention Africa Event in Abuja. The two-day event, jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Aviation Working Group (AWG), and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), convened regulators, financiers, legal experts, and policymakers from across the continent.
Represented by Dr. Anastasia Gbem, Director of Human Resources and Administration at the NCAA, Keyamo said the new score underscores Nigeria’s commitment to aligning its aviation framework with global standards.
“Nigeria’s Cape Town Convention compliance score has risen from 70.5% to 75.5% following the signing and operationalisation of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) procedure and Practice Direction,” he stated.
According to the minister, the milestone enhances Nigeria’s standing as a regional leader in aviation law reform and signals to investors that the country is “open for business on globally accepted terms.”
Keyamo emphasised that the Cape Town Convention — ratified by 28 African countries — remains vital for reducing credit risks, easing access to capital, and driving sustainable aviation growth. He urged African nations to harmonise their implementation of the Convention to unlock its full benefits across the continent.
Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, represented by Donald Tonye Spiff, Director of Operations, Licensing and Training, attributed the improved score to regulatory reforms and judicial strengthening.
“The Practice Direction provides guidance for adjudicating aircraft financing-related matters at the Federal High Court,” Spiff explained. “It has significantly raised Nigeria’s compliance from 49.0% to 75.5%.”
He added that the introduction of moot court sessions during the event would further build legal expertise in aviation finance across Africa.
Secretary-General of the Aviation Working Group, Jeffrey Wool, commended Nigeria as a “long-term and sustained partner” in implementing the Convention, describing it as “one of the most important commercial law frameworks in history.”
Similarly, the National Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to advancing legal and regulatory reforms that promote safety, efficiency, and investor confidence.
The achievement, stakeholders said, reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in aviation governance and sets the tone for deeper collaboration across Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
