Nigeria Removed from Aviation Working Group’s Blacklist, Compliance Rating Rises

Nigeria has officially been removed from the Aviation Working Group (AWG) blacklist due to non-compliance in the aviation sector, according to Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Tunde Moshood, on Thursday, the minister revealed that the country’s global compliance rating has surged to 75.5 percent. This improvement is largely due to the signing of the Administrative Rules governing aircraft repossession for creditors and lessors, referred to as the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA).
The statement noted, “As of yesterday, the Aviation Working Group (AWG) confirmed that Nigeria’s score on the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Compliance Index has been elevated from 70.5% to 75.5%. This places Nigeria in the ‘high category’ and officially removes the country from the AWG’s watchlist of non-compliant nations.”
This crucial move follows the completion of Nigeria’s compliance process, which is expected to unlock significant opportunities in the aviation industry. The signing of the IDERA is seen as a vital step in attracting more investment in aircraft financing and dry-leasing arrangements for Nigerian airlines.
Keyamo emphasized that the new development will boost the country’s aviation sector by providing operators greater access to international aircraft leasing markets. The direct outcomes of this achievement include enhanced flight regularity, the expansion of available flight routes, and more competitive ticket pricing for travelers across the nation.
The removal from the blacklist signals a positive shift for Nigeria’s aviation industry, promising long-term benefits that will be felt by both airlines and the general public.
This milestone marks a significant stride toward solidifying Nigeria’s position in the global aviation sector and enhancing the overall efficiency and reach of its airline operations.