NCAA Seeks EFCC’s Intervention to Curb Aviation Fraud, Non-Remittance by Airlines

By Abiola Adigun

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sought the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in tackling financial crimes and fraudulent practices bedeviling the aviation industry.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, NCAA’s Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, warned that fraudulent practices within the aviation sector were undermining safety oversight, operational efficiency, and investor confidence.
Najomo, who led a team of senior NCAA officials, identified several areas vulnerable to economic crimes, including high-value transactions such as aircraft purchases, leasing arrangements, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of critical safety infrastructure.
He also raised concerns over the persistent non-remittance of the statutory five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC) by some airlines. According to him, such practices have weakened NCAA’s internally generated revenue and, by extension, its ability to regulate effectively.
“Some operators deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems, or divert funds, thereby sabotaging the NCAA’s mandate,” Najomo said. “In such cases, EFCC’s intervention is necessary.”
The NCAA boss further highlighted the challenge of illegal charter operations disguised as private flights, which he said often involve unregulated financial flows and money laundering. He called for EFCC’s support through intelligence sharing, staff training on financial red flags, and joint sensitization workshops.
Responding, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede pledged the Commission’s commitment to working closely with NCAA in sanitizing the aviation sector.
“Aviation is an area where we have seen money laundering, particularly through chartered services. That is why we have been reaching out to you, and we will continue until we achieve the desired results,” Olukoyede said.
He emphasized the need for NCAA to strengthen surveillance of private airport wings, which he described as a “hotbed for illicit financial activities.” Olukoyede added that the EFCC would designate senior officers to collaborate with the NCAA in drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint investigations, intelligence exchange, and compliance monitoring.
Nigeria’s aviation industry has faced longstanding challenges with financial compliance, particularly the remittance of statutory charges. Analysts say the TSC and CSC—designed to fund safety oversight and infrastructure—are frequently under-reported or withheld by airlines, both local and foreign.
Dr. Alex Nwuba, former President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), recently told reporters that non-remittance by airlines “has been an open secret in the industry for years,” stressing that regulatory enforcement has been weak.
Similarly, aviation analyst Olumide Ohunayo noted that fraudulent ticketing systems and under-reporting of sales “pose a direct threat to transparency and accountability,” adding that EFCC’s involvement could bring “a new layer of seriousness to compliance.”
Experts warn that unchecked fraud in aviation could undermine safety, disrupt investor confidence, and expose the sector to international scrutiny. “The aviation industry is dollar-dependent and capital-intensive. Any form of financial leakage weakens not just the NCAA but also the safety net protecting passengers and operators,” said Captain Musa Nuhu, former NCAA DG, in a recent industry forum.
With the EFCC and NCAA now pledging closer collaboration, stakeholders are hopeful that the renewed alliance will plug financial leakages and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation safety oversight.