The Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at the International Air Transport Association, Kamil Alawadhi, has commended Nigeria for its remarkable progress in aviation safety, describing the country as a model of purposeful leadership and reform within Africa’s aviation space.
Speaking during his presentation at the ongoing IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Alawadhi praised Nigeria’s recent achievement of a 91.5% score in the ICAO safety audit, noting that the milestone reflects a deliberate and strategic commitment to aviation safety.
“We are not talking Switzerland here; we are talking about Nigeria, a country on purpose. They are taking aviation safety seriously, and the new score of 91.5% is a testament to that commitment,” he stated.
Alawadhi further attributed this progress to strong leadership and proactive engagement by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
“I am not surprised. The Minister called me even before he fully settled into office. Within just a few months, he successfully facilitated the unblocking of over $850 million in trapped airline funds. That level of responsiveness and action is commendable,” he added.
The IATA Vice President highlighted that such decisive actions not only build confidence among international airlines but also strengthen the overall credibility of Nigeria’s aviation sector on the global stage.
He reiterated that safety remains a cornerstone of aviation development, aligning with the conference theme: “Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency in Africa.”
According to him, Nigeria’s performance demonstrates how strong political will, regulatory compliance, and industry collaboration can yield measurable and impactful results.
Alawadhi also emphasized the broader importance of connectivity and operational efficiency across Africa, urging stakeholders to adopt coordinated strategies that will enhance intra-African air travel, reduce operational bottlenecks, and improve service delivery.
The ongoing conference, hosted in Ethiopia, continues to bring together key aviation stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on actionable pathways for transforming Africa’s aviation sector.
Nigeria’s recognition at the event further reinforces its growing influence and leadership role in advancing aviation safety and reforms across the continent.
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