The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned that proposed legislation to reduce its share of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) could compromise aviation safety. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, said such a move would weaken the agency's financial capacity to carry out regulatory oversight. The bill under consideration at the National Assembly seeks to redirect part of NCAA's five per cent TSC allocation to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Achimugu noted that NAMA is legally mandated to be self-sustaining and should not rely on deductions from NCAA's statutory funding. He stressed that NCAA, as a safety regulator, depends on cost recovery mechanisms because it is not funded directly by government.
Achimugu said the federal government already deducts from NCAA's revenue before it is accessed, and further reductions would impair operations. He argued that well-trained inspectors are essential for enforcing safety standards, and underfunding could lead to compromised oversight. The agency credits its funding model for Nigeria's strong performance in international aviation safety audits and improved protection of passenger rights. "The reason planes are not falling from the sky today under this administration, unlike in the past, is because of the NCAA," Achimugu stated. He added, "The reason Nigeria continues to excel in safety and security audits is because of the NCAA. The reason passengers' rights are better protected today is because of the NCAA."
Achimugu called on stakeholders to consider the risks of undermining NCAA's financial stability, noting that aviation regulators globally are adequately funded due to their life-saving role. He urged agencies with independent revenue mandates to focus on their own income streams rather than encroaching on NCAA's allocations. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, is reportedly mediating discussions on the matter. Achimugu appealed for restraint from parties making public statements, saying the minister is already addressing the issue. He dismissed claims that NCAA owes money to NAMA, explaining that statutory remittances are processed directly by the relevant authorities.
Michael Achimugu claims NCAA's funding is critical to aviation safety while acknowledging the federal government already takes a cut from its revenue. He insists other agencies should not take more when the authority is already underfunded and inspectors need better training and pay. Yet the same official says the minister is handling the dispute behind closed doors and asks others to stop speaking publicly. If accountability depends on silence, the public may never know how much is really being taken from the system meant to keep them safe.
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