By George Ozalla
The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has said the implementation of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) framework will rebuild the confidence of international aircraft lessors in Nigeria and improve local airlines’ access to leased aircraft.
Najomo said IDERA goes beyond legal theory, describing it as a vital commercial instrument that has a direct bearing on the nation’s economy because it balances aviation regulation with the protection of ownership rights in aircraft financing and leasing.
The NCAA Director-General, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Barr. Mrs. Mary Tufano-Eche, stated this during the Aviation Law Committee’s bi-monthly session organised by the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) in Lagos on Thursday.
The programme, themed “Aircraft Registration and Registrable Interests in Nigeria: All You Need to Know,” examined the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, as amended in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, with particular attention to aircraft ownership, financing, leasing and the registration of security interests.
According to Najomo, Nigeria’s aircraft registry must work seamlessly with the international legal framework to ensure that registrable interests declared by owners and financiers enjoy full legal protection and are enforceable.
He noted that a reliable legal framework is essential to attracting investment, supporting airline operations and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In her opening remarks, the NCAA Lagos Regional Manager, Barr. Mrs. Olubukola Teriba, said the Authority is responsible for aircraft registration and regulatory oversight, explaining that registration establishes the legal identity and status of an aircraft.
She said the NCAA maintains the National Aircraft Registry, which contains records of all registered aircraft in the country and issues Certificates of Registration. The Authority also maintains the Legal Interests in Aircraft Registry for recording proprietary rights, mortgages and other interests in aircraft.
Earlier, Chairman of the Aviation Law Committee of the NBA-SBL, Barr. Gulla Yunana John, said the session was designed to provide legal practitioners, aviation operators and other stakeholders with practical knowledge of the processes, legal requirements, challenges and recent developments relating to aircraft registration and registrable interests under Nigerian law and applicable international conventions.
He thanked the Director-General and the NCAA for supporting the programme, saying the Authority’s commitment to strengthening legal and regulatory knowledge continues to contribute to the growth of the aviation industry.
The IDERA Advisory Circular was signed in Abuja on October 16, 2024, by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Capt. Chris Najomo on behalf of the NCAA. The initiative was introduced to make it easier for Nigerian airlines to access dry-leased aircraft and address concerns that had previously led to the country being blacklisted by international aircraft lessors.
Since assuming office as Director-General, Najomo has introduced a number of reforms aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, improving compliance with international aviation standards, enhancing operational efficiency and creating a more investor-friendly environment for the industry. The implementation of the IDERA framework is expected to further improve Nigeria’s standing in the global aircraft leasing market.
