CHUKS OKOH
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has extended warm congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, and the entire Nigerian populace on the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence anniversary.
In an anniversary statement issued in Lagos, NAAPE National President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, highlighted the vital role aviation has played in national development since 1960, noting that air travel continues to connect families, drive commerce, and project Nigeria’s green-white-green flag across the globe.
Reflecting on the progress recorded in the sector, Captain Gindeh observed that Nigeria’s domestic aviation market has emerged as the fastest-growing on the African continent and the second-largest overall.
He credited this momentum to the rapid expansion of routes by both new and state-backed carriers, alongside the strong presence of indigenous operators on regional and international routes.
The NAAPE President praised the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and key sector agencies for critical regulatory reforms. In particular, he commended the historic adoption of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Civil Aviation Master Plan, describing it as a strategic framework that provides Nigeria with a clear roadmap through 2045 while modernizing licensing and strengthening safety oversight.
Captain Gindeh paid tribute to Nigerian aviation professionals, describing the nation’s pilots and engineers as world-class experts whose technical competence and unwavering dedication serve as the primary backbone of safe flight operations and a major source of national pride.
Looking ahead, the association expressed its enthusiasm to collaborate closely with the government and airline operators across six strategic priority areas.
According to Captain Gindeh, NAAPE is focused on growing local talent through world-class training opportunities at home and retaining top personnel by enhancing conditions of service so that Nigeria remains the primary choice for its best aviators and engineers.
Furthermore, the association emphasized the need to build local maintenance capacity so that more aircraft are serviced on Nigerian soil by indigenous hands. Captain Gindeh also underscored the urgency of securing a reliable supply of aviation fuel to guarantee seamless flight operations, delivering modern airport infrastructure capable of matching the ambition of the expanding market, and strictly upholding safety as the ultimate foundation of all achievements in the sector.
Reaffirming the union’s commitment to national growth, Captain Gindeh declared that the sky is not a limit for Nigeria but its operational home, adding that NAAPE remains a proud partner in building an aviation industry that truly reflects the greatness of the nation.
