The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has inaugurated the National Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee (NATEOC) to coordinate the implementation of regional aviation policies and ensure compliance with economic oversight obligations.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, stated this at the inauguration ceremony held at the Authority’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
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Represented by the Director of Air Transport Regulation, Mrs Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Capt. Najomo said the committee would assess compliance, identify implementation gaps, recommend policy adjustments and monitor progress towards fulfilling Nigeria’s regional aviation obligations.
He explained that the committee would also develop an implementation roadmap, review existing legislative and regulatory frameworks, facilitate the official publication of relevant provisions in the national gazette and collaborate with regional institutions.
The committee’s inauguration follows the adoption of Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/24 by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 66th Ordinary Session in Abuja on December 15, 2024.
The Act establishes a common regional policy on aviation charges, taxes and fees across ECOWAS member states.
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The regional reform is designed to reduce the high cost of air travel, promote transparency in aviation services, strengthen economic oversight and encourage fair competition within the West African air transport market.
Capt. Najomo said NATEOC was mandated to translate the provisions of the Supplementary Act into practical, coordinated and measurable national actions in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Doc 9082.
He emphasised the need for the committee to engage constructively with key industry stakeholders, including domestic airline operators and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), to ensure effective implementation of the policy.
Also speaking, the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs Mary Tufano-Eche, urged members of the committee to carefully examine the legal and legislative frameworks underpinning the Supplementary Act.
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She said the review would help ensure seamless integration of the regional policy into Nigeria’s national aviation framework while preventing conflicts with existing ICAO documents and domestic regulations.
NATEOC comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigeria Revenue Service and Federal Ministry of Finance.