Nigeria’s ICAO member status elevated, improved safety standards recognized

After facing near collapse following the threat of international airlines exiting the sector, Nigerian aviation seems to have made a U-turn with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) promoting its member status to “one of the highest in the world”.

Nigeria was promoted to second tier in the ICAO’s three-tier member-state-ranking system during the 41st ICAO Assembly, according to a tweet published on October 1, 2022. The Assembly is being held in Montreal, Canada from September 27 to October 7, 2022.

In a statement published by the agency’s website on September 29, 2022, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano acknowledged Nigeria’s “exceptional level of effective implementation of ICAO safety and security standards,” as part of ICAO’s ‘No Country Left Behind’ initiative. The ICAO also recognized Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika as a Champion of the initiative, according to local Nigerian media, The Sun.

Ethiopia was also recognized with a certificate for its safety progress and Tunisia was acknowledged for its achievements regarding aviation security. Côte D’Ivoire received certificates for its progress in both aviation safety and aviation security, the ICAO highlighted in its statement.

Alongside Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt were also named as the only other African states promoted to ICAO’s second tier.

Russia lost its seat among the primary (tier 1) members of the ICAO council.