Nigeria’s aviation compliance score has surged following the signing of new rules governing aircraft repossession, boosting the country’s global standing in the industry.
The rules, known as the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA), were signed as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s compliance with international aviation standards.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this development during the commissioning of the Juhi-2 Aviation Fuel Depot at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. He attributed the progress to the government’s recent actions, including the signing of the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction, which saw Nigeria’s compliance rating jump from 49% to 70.5% within a month.
The new rating, which places Nigeria in the “high category,” was announced by the Aviation Working Group (AWG) on Wednesday, October 16, according to a statement from the minister’s special adviser, Tunde Moshood. The AWG confirmed that Nigeria’s compliance process is now complete following the signing of the IDERA, removing the country from the AWG’s watch list of non-compliant nations.
This milestone is expected to unlock significant opportunities for Nigeria’s aviation sector, including improved access to aircraft financing and dry-leasing markets for Nigerian airlines. The resulting benefits include increased flight regularity, expansion of serviced routes, and more competitive ticket pricing, which will ultimately enhance the experience of Nigerian travellers.
The statement also highlighted that these developments mark a positive turning point for Nigeria’s aviation industry, with greater potential for growth and global integration.