Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Suspends Two Pilots Over Serious Safety Breach at Abuja Airport

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the licenses of two pilots from ValueJet following a serious breach of aviation safety protocols at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The suspension comes as the authority investigates the incident which involved the pilots commencing departure procedures without the mandatory pre-departure clearance.

According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the incident occurred on Tuesday August 5, 2025, at the domestic terminal.

Preliminary findings revealed that the lead pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba violated safety regulations by departing from the designated bay without the required clearance, endangering the safety of ground personnel and other airport users.

The NCAA characterized the violation as grave and indicated that immediate enforcement action included the suspension of both pilots’ licenses with effect from the date of the incident.

This suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the breach.

In response, ValueJet management has initiated an internal probe and removed the implicated crew members from active duty as part of its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. The airline expressed full cooperation with the NCAA and emphasized its dedication to upholding safety standards to prevent future occurrences.

The NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety in Nigerian airspace and ensuring that all operators strictly adhere to established civil aviation regulations and international standards.

This decisive action highlights Nigeria’s proactive stance on aviation safety, reinforcing regulatory enforcement to protect lives and sustain confidence in the nation’s aviation sector.