Nigeria’s aviation sector has earned a 91.45% safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

In a statement signed by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the development.

ICAO is the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating principles and standards for international air navigation and air transport safety.

Through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, the organisation assesses countries’ ability to manage aviation safety risks effectively.

According to the presidency, Nigeria recorded a 91.45 per cent effective implementation score during a recent audit debriefing at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The score is Nigeria’s highest ever since the audit programme began in 1999.

It also places Nigeria above the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent.

The presidency said the development would significantly boost investor confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s international aviation credibility.

Mr Tinubu said his administration had prioritised infrastructure and transportation as key enablers of economic growth.

He added that the aviation sector remained central to plans to position Nigeria as a regional hub that meets global standards and best practices.

The president commended the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for the achievement.

He said the rating affirmed Nigeria’s aviation safety standards and made the country more attractive for investment in infrastructure, maintenance facilities and airline operations.

Mr Tinubu also urged the ministry to review and implement all recommendations made by ICAO auditors.

He said this would help Nigeria sustain the rating and improve further.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had earlier outlined safety compliance as a top priority under the ministry’s reform agenda.

(NAN)