Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has raised serious concerns about safety in Nigeria’s aviation industry, alleging that some pilots operating in the country smoke Indian hemp and are not properly supervised by the relevant authorities.
Kalu made the claim on Wednesday during plenary, while contributing to a motion on aviation safety concerns following the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau’s (NSIB) report on the recent Air Peace runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, addressed the June 22, 2025, incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 (Flight P47190), which skidded off the runway while landing in Port Harcourt.
Buhari explained that while no lives were lost, the NSIB’s findings exposed “critical gaps in safety standards, infrastructure management, and operational compliance” within the aviation sector.
He added that the report highlighted deficiencies in runway conditions, airfield lighting, pilot decision-making, and regulatory oversight, stressing that such lapses could undermine public confidence in air travel.
“The aviation sector is too vital to our national security and economic growth to be left to chance,” Buhari said, urging urgent corrective actions.
In his contribution, Senator Kalu accused some pilots of negligence and drug use, calling on regulatory bodies to take responsibility.
“The authorities guiding these pilots, some of them are very lousy. Some of the pilots are not prepared,” Kalu said.
“Some of them smoke Indian hemp and some of them are not properly audited by the authorities. They are not doing it.
“Most of these pilots are so careless. All these agencies must look after these pilots and cabin staff. Some of the NCAA must come back to their duty. Also, some of the runways are not in good shape.”
Supporting the motion, Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) emphasised the importance of strict oversight by the Senate Committee on Aviation.
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“The important thing is for the committee to do their oversight properly. Beyond urging this Senate to grant these prayers, the committee must sit up,” Goje said.
“You don’t joke with aviation. Any small mistake leads to loss of life.”
Goje also urged the Ministry of Aviation to construct an additional runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin directed the Senate Committee on Aviation to conduct a thorough investigation into the sector, describing aviation as “critical to the nation’s economy.”
After deliberations, the Senate resolved to urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently implement the NSIB’s recommendations. It also directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen compliance monitoring, conduct routine audits, and enforce international safety standards.
Additionally, FAAN was asked to rehabilitate runways, install modern navigational aids, and improve airfield lighting, starting with the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The Senate further mandated its aviation committee to engage relevant stakeholders, including NSIB, NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, and airline operators, to ensure full implementation of the safety measures and report back within six weeks.
A separate resolution tasked the committee with investigating aviation agencies within four weeks and urged the ministry to fast-track the construction of a second runway at the Abuja airport.
Lawmakers also commended the NSIB for promptly releasing its report, describing the action as a sign of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s aviation sector.