Fresh concerns are emerging over alleged corruption and compromised oversight within the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), particularly in its Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS)—the department responsible for certifying that all aircraft operating in the country are safe to fly.
This development has resulted in serious fear among air users and other stakeholders in the industry.
It was gathered that experts in the aviation sector fear that despite this early signs that the sector is heading on a destructive path, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Kayamo and the Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Chris Najemo remain unconcerned.
Findings from industry insiders and documents obtained by this newspaper suggest that under the current Director of Airworthiness Standards, Engr. Victor Goyea, serious irregularities may be undermining Nigeria’s aviation safety system.
Sources within the NCAA allege that key safety approvals and inspections are now being influenced by internal networks that prioritize personal gain over regulatory integrity. At the centre of these allegations is one Engr. Tajudeen Tokunbo Fadairo, widely known in the system as “T. Worldwide,” who is accused of manipulating certification processes and influencing other inspectors.
Multiple officials within the Authority allege that Engr. Fadairo has been involved in questionable approvals of maintenance organizations and aircraft operators, often bypassing established procedures designed to guarantee flight safety.
While Engr. Goyea was once known for diligence and professionalism, insiders now claim that he has grown increasingly close to Fadairo’s operations, allegedly enabling a network of compromised decisions within the Directorate.
The sources further allege that several inspectors within the Directorate have adopted similar practices under Fadairo’s influence, perpetuating a culture of impunity that threatens air safety.
One senior aviation source described the situation as “a ticking time bomb,” warning that “when oversight becomes compromised, the consequences are not just bureaucratic—they can be fatal.”
The Directorate of Airworthiness Standards, a critical arm of the NCAA, is charged with approving Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs), a process that determines which firms are authorized to maintain aircraft operating in Nigeria. Any compromise in this process could directly endanger passengers and crew.
Engr. Tajudeen Tokunbo Fadairo joined the NCAA on July 24, 2007, and was recently promoted to Level 15 in October 2025. Though his official record shows a steady rise through the ranks, his name has become synonymous with controversy.
Despite a history of internal complaints and doubts about his conduct, Fadairo has retained influence under several successive Directors of Airworthiness Standards, including Engr. Benedict Adeyileka (2013–2017), Engr. Kayode Ajiboye (2020–2023), Engr. Gbolahan Abatan (May–December 2023), and the current head, Engr. Victor Goyea.
Industry insiders say Fadairo has become an indispensable figure to each administration, often serving as a “behind-the-scenes” adviser on key certification and inspection decisions.
Ironically, some of his former critics later empowered him. For example, Engr. Ajiboye, who once questioned his competence as an inspector, later assigned him to train new recruits and head the Kaduna Airworthiness office—positions that increased his influence within the system.
One of the most disturbing examples of alleged regulatory failure occurred in July 2023, when a Jabiru J430 aircraft (registration 5N-CCQ), belonging to Air First Hospitality and Tours Ltd, was issued a Special Certificate of Airworthiness by Engr. Fadairo.
Investigations show that Air First Hospitality and Tours was owned by Engr. Gbolahan Abatan, who at the time was the Director of Airworthiness Standards at the NCAA—a clear conflict of interest.
(See reference: Nigeria24 Report)
Only days after the certificate was issued, the aircraft crashed on August 1, 2023, during its maiden flight over Oba-Akran, Lagos. Aviation experts described the incident as “an avoidable tragedy” resulting from reckless certification and procedural abuse.
According to standard NCAA procedure, because the aircraft was based in Lagos, the inspection assignment should have been delegated to the Head of Airworthiness in Lagos, who would nominate qualified inspectors from the region.
Instead, Engr. Abatan allegedly bypassed this process and personally assigned the inspection to Engr. Fadairo, who was outside the Lagos region. Aviation insiders claim this was done deliberately to ensure the aircraft received approval, despite concerns about its airworthiness.
A senior safety officer told this newspaper that such incidents are not isolated. “Once a pattern of personal loyalty and favouritism replaces technical judgment, you can no longer trust the system,” the source said. “We may be lucky that there hasn’t been a major crash yet—but it’s only a matter of time if this continues.”
Experts warn that when unqualified organizations are granted maintenance approvals, the risk of mechanical failure increases dramatically. While the effect may not be immediate, history shows that neglected oversight today leads to disasters tomorrow
The findings raise urgent questions about accountability within the NCAA, particularly the role of the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards. Aviation professionals are calling for an independent investigation into how AMO certifications and aircraft airworthiness approvals are being managed under the current leadership.
A source told us that the Aviation Minister, Festus Kayamo, even though, alarmed over the development, will likely not act because of his relationship with the NCAA boss, Captain Cris Najomo, putting the aviation industry at a high risk at a time aviation safety should ordinarily be prioritized.
This investigation, the first in a multi-part series, will publish verifiable documents, insider accounts, and timelines showing how regulatory capture within the NCAA is eroding public trust and endangering lives.
