By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Senate has directed its Committee on Aviation to investigate recurring accidents and incidents on runways across Nigeria in a bid to strengthen aviation safety nationwide.
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) on the need to address safety lapses highlighted in the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the June 22, 2025 Air Peace runway overrun at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
While no lives were lost in the incident, the NSIB report revealed what Buhari described as “critical gaps in safety standards, infrastructure management, and operational compliance.” He warned that such systemic failures, if unaddressed, could endanger lives and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation system.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the rising number of runway-related incidents, noting that at least seven near air-mishaps have been recorded this year. He also decried reports that the Air Peace pilot involved in the Port Harcourt incident was intoxicated at the time of the occurrence.
“Aviation safety is not negotiable. The NSIB report shows systemic failures that must be addressed urgently to safeguard passengers and restore confidence in our airports,” Buhari said.
Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to immediately implement all safety recommendations contained in the NSIB report.
It also directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen compliance monitoring, conduct routine audits of airport facilities, and enforce strict adherence to international safety standards by all operators.
The upper chamber further called on FAAN to prioritise the rehabilitation of runways, provision of airfield lighting, and installation of modern navigational aids, starting with the Port Harcourt International Airport.
In addition, lawmakers stressed the urgent need for the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to improve operational safety and ease pressure on the existing facility.
The Committee on Aviation was mandated to interface with relevant agencies including the NSIB, NCAA, FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and airline operators to ensure full implementation of the safety measures and report back to the Senate within six weeks.