NCAA inaugurates committee to advance sustainable aviation fuel

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has inaugurated a seven-member National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee, a move expected to position the country at the forefront of Africa’s green aviation transition.

The committee was inaugurated on Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, during an event organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the European Union, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

The event also featured the presentation of Nigeria’s National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study and the launch of the ICAO-supported Sustainable Aviation Fuel Business Implementation Study, setting the stage for the country’s long-term strategy to decarbonise its aviation sector.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the initiative as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s quest to build a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable aviation industry.

Represented by the Director of Air Transport Management in the ministry, Mohammed Tijani, Keyamo said the steering committee would serve as the country’s highest governance platform for the implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiatives.

“The committee will provide strategic direction, coordinate implementation efforts, foster collaboration among government institutions, industry players and development partners, while overseeing the successful delivery of Nigeria’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Implementation Programme,” Tijani said.

He noted that the transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel goes beyond meeting global environmental obligations, stressing that it presents enormous economic opportunities for the country.

“SAF offers Nigeria a strategic opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions from aviation while attracting new investments, creating quality jobs, strengthening our energy security and unlocking immense value across the agriculture, energy and manufacturing sectors,” he said.

Tijani also urged members of the committee to discharge their responsibilities with commitment and innovation, saying, “I encourage every member of this committee to approach this national assignment with dedication, creativity and a shared sense of purpose. The decisions we take today will shape the future competitiveness and sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation industry.”

In his remarks, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, described the launch as a defining milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sustainability journey, saying the country was now moving from policy formulation to practical implementation.

“Today marks a defining moment because Nigeria is transitioning from planning to implementation. We now have a clear pathway for developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry that aligns with global climate commitments while supporting national economic growth,” Najomo said.

He explained that the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Feasibility Study was developed under ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Programme, with funding from the European Union and technical support from EASA.

According to him, the study provides an evidence-based roadmap for converting Nigeria’s abundant biomass and other feedstock resources into commercially viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.

“The feasibility study gives us the scientific and economic foundation needed to transform Nigeria’s vast feedstock resources into a thriving SAF industry capable of supporting our aviation sector while contributing to environmental sustainability,” he said.

Najomo reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to coordinating stakeholders and serving as the secretariat of the National High-Level Sustainable Aviation Fuel Steering Committee to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

“The NCAA remains fully committed to providing the leadership and coordination required to drive this initiative in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria becomes a leading player in sustainable aviation fuel development on the African continent,” he added.