Nigeria Exits Aviation Watchlist and Achieves 75.5% Compliance Score

Nigeria's aviation sector has achieved a significant milestone, enhancing its Cape Town Convention (CTC) Compliance Index score from 70.5% to 75.5%.

This improvement has propelled the country out of the Aviation Working Group's (AWG) watchlist of non-compliant nations and into the 'high category'. The progress is attributed to the recent implementation of the Administrative Rules on the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA), a regulation essential for aircraft repossession by creditors and lessors.

This regulatory advancement assures global stakeholders of Nigeria's commitment to international aviation standards. It also opens doors for Nigerian airlines to access global aircraft financing and dry-leasing markets.

Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, explained, "This milestone enables Nigerian operators to access aircraft leasing markets more readily, translating to increased flight regularity, expanded routes, and potentially more competitive ticket prices."

The Centre for Africa Civilisation and Development (CACD) has commended Minister Festus Keyamo for his transformative reforms in the aviation sector.

Prince Madaki, CACD's Executive Director, praised Keyamo as a "transformative leader," highlighting improvements in air safety, local airline empowerment, and airport infrastructure. Madaki noted, "Under his leadership, the relocation of airlines to Murtala Muhammed International Airport's new terminal has greatly enhanced the passenger experience."