Legal policy and aviation industry in Nigeria: Constraints to optimal safety of air transportation

Abstract

The study examined aviation law and industry in Africa, using Nigerian experience. This became necessary in view
of the recent and frequent happenings in aviation sector that involved heavy losses of lives and property in plane
crashes. The study relied on both primary and secondary sources of legal materials to gather information on
aviation laws and industry. The findings of the study revealed that aviation industries in Africa in general, and
Nigeria in particular were grossly underfunded. This gave rise to myriad of problems like lack of cargo screening
machines, inadequate security personnel and obsolete navigational facilities among others. The study further
revealed that one reason for fleet depletion and eventual collapse of domestic carriers was their dependence on
old airplanes, which attracted high maintenance costs. The study concluded that Governments’ performance in the
aviation industry was unsatisfactory. The legal policy/reform, especially Aviation Act, 2006 seems adequate
enough to facilitate and guide successful operations in the aviation industry in Nigeria. However, legal
policy/reform needs to be complemented with adequate funding, timely release of funds/subventions to all the
agencies charged with the responsibility of air transportation and elimination of corrupt practices.