NCAA suspends ValueJet pilot, co-pilot over safety breach at Abuja airport

|By Adejumo Adekunle

…Aviation authority launches full investigation into protocol violation
…Incident occurred during departure procedure at domestic terminal

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the licences of two crew members working for ValueJet following a serious breach of aviation safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement released Tuesday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, identified the suspended personnel as Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba.

The regulatory body said both flight crew members were suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

According to preliminary findings, the ValueJet pilot reportedly initiated departure procedures from the designated bay at the domestic terminal without securing the required pre-departure clearance.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirms that it has received reports concerning a serious breach of aviation safety protocols by a ValueJet pilot at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (Domestic Terminal), on Tuesday, August 5, 2025,” the statement read in part.

The Authority further stated that it views the incident with “utmost seriousness” and has launched a full investigation to determine the cause and enforce appropriate sanctions.

Industry stakeholders have since commended the swift action of the NCAA in upholding aviation safety standards across the country.