The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority formally presented the Aerodrome Certificate for Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on 14 April 2026, at a ceremony held at the NCAA's Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The presentation marks the conclusion of a five-phase certification process through which the airport was assessed against the full suite of safety, operational, and infrastructure requirements set out in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations and aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and Recommended Practices.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, was represented at the ceremony by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Alhaji Ahmad Abba. Speaking on behalf of the DGCA, Alhaji Abba described the certification as a significant milestone, noting that it reflects the NCAA's ongoing commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and alignment with ICAO standards at a time when Nigeria is preparing for the ICAO Continuous Monitoring Approach activities.
Capt. Najomo commended FAAN for its cooperation and dedication throughout the certification process, acknowledging the coordination required across both organisations to bring the airport to the point of formal certification.
What the Certification Means
An aerodrome certificate is the formal regulatory authorisation that confirms an airport meets the minimum safety and operational standards required to receive commercial air traffic. Without it, an airport cannot legally be used for scheduled passenger operations under Nigeria's civil aviation framework.
For Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the certification is particularly significant given the airport's role as the primary gateway for South-East Nigeria and its growing strategic importance as the government of Enugu State pursues broader aviation investment. Enugu Air, which received its Air Operator Certificate from the NCAA in March 2026, has identified the airport as its home base and primary hub for future route development.
The five-phase process through which the certificate was obtained involved physical inspections of runway surfaces, apron infrastructure, terminal facilities, navigation aids, rescue and firefighting equipment, perimeter security, and aerodrome lighting systems — each assessed against the standards prescribed in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations Part 13.
ICAO Alignment and Timing
The NCAA emphasised that the certification was achieved in alignment with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, a point of particular relevance given that Nigeria completed its ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission in April 2026. A well-certified aerodrome network strengthens Nigeria's overall safety oversight profile in ICAO assessments, which in turn affects the country's international aviation standing and the route access available to Nigerian carriers.
The aerodrome certification for Akanu Ibiam Airport adds to a growing list of Nigerian airports that have completed the formal certification process under the NCAA's aerodrome standards directorate, as the authority works to bring all operational airports in the country into full compliance with the national regulatory framework.
Enugu's Aviation Ambitions
The certification arrives at a moment of renewed aviation ambition in Enugu State. Governor Peter Mbah's administration has made aviation a visible priority, having commissioned Enugu Air in July 2025 and secured the NCAA's formal AOC for the carrier in March 2026. The aerodrome certificate for Akanu Ibiam Airport provides the complementary regulatory foundation for the state's broader aviation development agenda, including plans for increased international connectivity from Enugu.
FAAN, which manages the airport on behalf of the federal government, is expected to publish details of planned infrastructure improvements at the facility as part of the authority's wider capital development programme for airports outside the primary Lagos and Abuja hubs.
