Senator, Orji Kalu, has expressed reservation about safety concerns in the Nigerian aviation industry, accusing some pilots in the country of taking illicit drug.
Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, blamed the development on regulatory agencies, particularly the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, stressing that they have failed in their responsibility to properly monitor pilots and ensure safe flight operations. He stated that the authorities’ laxity in their oversight duties poses a threat to passengers’ safety nationwide.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, in a video recorded by African Independent Television and sighted by our correspondent, Kalu criticised the lack of rigorous checks within the aviation sector.
He maintained that the NCAA had not lived up to expectations in its regulatory role and accused it of allowing a culture of negligence to persist within the industry.
Kalu also revealed that he had personally, on some occasions, stopped certain pilots from flying him over inadequacies spotted before departure.
He emphasised that he could not risk his life under questionable flight conditions and urged the authorities to take urgent steps to address the alarming lapses in aviation oversight and pilot conduct.
He said, “I feel that the authorities guiding these pilots, some of them, are very lousy. I have on many occasions stopped flying because of the inadequacy of the pilots’ preparation. Some of them are not prepared. Some of them use Indian hemp. Yes, it’s true. Some of them smoke Indian hemp, and some of them are not properly audited by the authorities.
“I am telling you what I know, because the NCAA and the NAMA and other authorities are not looking after these pilots and checking them for drugs on the spot assessment. They are not doing it because it is dangerous, and you see them walking into the aeroplane; nobody checks their blood pressure, nobody checks anything, nothing, nothing.”
While criticising some pilots, Kalu stressed that some modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-500, are largely automated and should rarely encounter landing problems because they are equipped with an automated landing gear system, and with that, should not be involved in some incidents that have been recorded in the country, blaming the same on pilots’ negligence.
“Note that aircraft, most of them 737-500, have an automatic landing gear system. It doesn’t need a pilot to land the plane. What is needed to land the plane is a computer and an autopilot. Because some of them are high, they are not going to do this thing. Because any aircraft that is of a new generation doesn’t need a pilot. They don’t need a pilot to fly. Landing and take-off are purely automatic.
“So most of these pilots are so careless. I have witnessed it; I have seen it by myself. I have come to fly. I told my pilots, I said, ‘No, no, no, I don’t think you’re normal today.’ You have to go back home. So, all these agencies must come back home to look after these pilots, and what do you call them and the cabin staff, because some of them take this Indian hemp like cigarettes? They won’t tell you. If you go close to them, you will smell it,” Kalu insisted.
It will be recalled that a recent preliminary report from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau indicted an assistant pilot and flight attendants working with Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, of involvement with Indian hemp and alcohol.
The Senator, however, urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to ensure that airport runways are regularly maintained, noting that some are in poor condition.
“So, all these agencies must ‘come back home’ to look after these pilots and carbine staff because some of them take Indian hemp; they won’t tell you, but if you go close to them, you will smell it.
“So, the NCAA must come back to its duty. Again, the Minister of Aviation must be forced to do a quarterly maintenance of the runway. Some of the runways are not in good shape.”
In response to the senator’s claim, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has debunked his claims, saying his stance was inadequate.
The NCAA In a statement signed by its Director General, Chris Najomo, clarified that all pilots flying Nigerian-registered aircraft are required to hold valid licences and current medical certificates, in accordance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Authority explained that the medical certificates are issued only after comprehensive evaluations by NCAA-authorised medical examiners and further reviewed by the NCAA’s in-house aeromedical team.
He stressed that the medical examinations cover a wide range of health factors, including cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, and respiratory conditions.
Najomo said, “While the Authority holds the Distinguished Senator and the National Assembly in the highest esteem, it is necessary to provide factual clarifications in the public interest.
“Contrary to the impression created, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority maintains a rigorous and internationally recognised system for certifying and monitoring the medical and professional fitness of all pilots operating in Nigeria.
“No pilot is permitted to operate a Nigerian-registered aircraft without holding both a valid pilot licence and a current medical certificate, as required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations Part 8.4.1.4. Holders of Commercial Pilot Licences and Airline Transport Pilot Licences are, by the provisions of Nig. CARs 2.3.5.1 and 2.3.7.1, required to possess a Class 1 Medical Certificate before they are allowed to operate.”
Also on drug intake, the NCAA stated that its regulations strictly prohibit any crew member from operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It stated that the Authority conducts both random and targeted drug and alcohol testing periodically.
NCAA recalled how a Valuejet pilot was suspended for initiating departure procedures without proper clearance.
The NCAA boss further said, “In addition to this, Nig. CARs Part 8.5.1.5 explicitly prohibits any crew member from acting as a flight crew member within eight hours after consuming alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol, or while using any psychoactive substance that could affect alertness, judgment, or performance.
“In accordance with this regulation, the NCAA carries out on-the-spot alcohol or drug testing when there is reasonable suspicion of intoxication. It further authorises random and unannounced testing for crew members and allows the results of such tests to be used as legal evidence.
“Beyond the medical certification process, NCAA inspectors conduct daily ramp inspections at airports across the country. These inspections are not limited to aircraft alone; they include direct engagement with flight crew.”
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers has issued a stern warning to Senator Kalu, demanding that he either provide verifiable evidence to support his claims that Nigerian pilots operate aircraft while under the influence of Indian hemp or issue an immediate public retraction and apology.
Obviously dissatisfied by the lawmaker’s claim, Public Relations Officer of NAAPE, Blessing Ahmadu, in a statement on Thursday, described the remarks as a “malicious attack” on the professionalism and integrity of Nigerian pilots and aviation engineers.
“NAAPE categorically and emphatically refutes the broad allegation that Nigerian pilots routinely fly under the influence of narcotics. These baseless claims, which constitute a malicious attack on the professionalism, integrity, and reputation of Nigerian aviation professionals, are not only false but also represent a dangerous misrepresentation of the rigorous safety standards that govern Nigerian aviation operations,” the statement read.
The association reiterated that Nigerian pilots are subject to strict regulatory, medical, and ethical standards as established by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, in line with global protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. These include regular and random drug and alcohol testing.
“Every pilot in the country is bound by strict regulatory, medical, and ethical standards… subject to regular and random drug and alcohol testing as part of their medical certification and recurrent assessment processes,” the statement added.
The embattled association further expressed confidence in the NCAA’s safety oversight functions and described the Senator’s comments as “inaccurate and misleading”.
Ahmadu stated, “It is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that pilots routinely engage in drug use or report to duty under the influence of such substances. Aviation operations in Nigeria involve multiple layers of oversight, including pre-flight medical checks, recurrent simulator training, random toxicology screening, and continuous monitoring by both operators and regulators.”
NAAPE emphasised that Nigeria maintains one of the safest air transport records in Africa due to strict adherence to international safety standards and swift disciplinary action in isolated cases of misconduct.
While acknowledging the Senator’s right to participate in aviation discourse, NAAPE urged public figures to engage constructively and avoid alarmist statements that could undermine public confidence in the aviation industry.
“While NAAPE recognises the distinguished Senator’s right to contribute to discussions on aviation safety, it urges all public figures to avoid making sweeping statements that can cause unwarranted alarm among air travellers, demoralise professionals, and erode public trust.”
Also expressing his dissatisfaction, President of NAAPE, Capt Bunmi Gindeh, stated that the allegation was both “unacceptable” and “deeply unfair” to the thousands of aviation professionals in Nigeria.
He said, “It is unacceptable to make unsubstantiated claims against a community of professionals. The burden of proof lies with whoever makes such an allegation, and it must be supported by evidence or withdrawn with a public apology. Everyone appears to speak as an aviation expert in this country, except the professionals who are trained and certified to do the job. For too long, individuals outside the industry have attempted to define its operations, and one would have expected a former airline operator to understand this better. Sadly, this is not the case.
“Our members undergo some of the most rigorous medical, psychological, and professional screening anywhere in the world. To broadly generalise and suggest that Nigerian pilots operate aircraft while under the influence of drugs is not only false but also deeply unfair to the thousands of disciplined professionals who dedicate their lives to ensuring safe skies. We take great pride in our safety record and remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.”
NAAPE has now issued a formal call to Senator Kalu to either provide proof to the appropriate regulatory agencies, the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, or issue a public retraction and apology.
