Nigeria TV Info — NCAA Refutes Senator Orji Kalu’s Allegations on Pilot Substance Abuse

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday dismissed claims made by Senator Orji Kalu on the Senate floor suggesting that pilots and airline crews engage in substance abuse and that the Authority fails to conduct proper checks.

The Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, responded to the allegations by emphasizing that the Authority operates a rigorous and internationally recognized system for certifying and monitoring the medical and professional fitness of all pilots operating in Nigeria.

Captain Najomo stated that no pilot is permitted to operate a Nigerian-registered aircraft without holding both a valid pilot licence and a current medical certificate, in accordance with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. Holders of Commercial Pilot Licences (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licences (ATPL) must possess a Class 1 medical certificate before being allowed to operate an aircraft.

“These medical certificates are issued only after comprehensive aero-medical evaluations by NCAA Authorised Aviation Medical Examiners (AAMEs), followed by approval of the medical report by NCAA’s in-house aero-medical assessors,” Najomo said.

He added that the examinations cover cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, metabolic, respiratory, and visual assessments to ensure pilots are fit to operate aircraft safely. Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part 2.11.2.6 (b) outlines the physical and mental requirements for issuing medical certificates.

“The regulation makes it clear that applicants must not have any disease or condition that could suddenly render them unable to perform flight duties safely. It also screens for the use of psychoactive substances, mental or behavioural disorders, abnormal blood pressure, heart or lung diseases, neurological disorders, and other physiological conditions that could affect safe performance,” the statement read.

Medical certificates are valid for 12 months for pilots under 40 years old and six months for those aged 40 and above. Pilots must undergo a new series of medical tests to renew their certificates upon expiry.

The NCAA’s statement underscores its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector.