By our reporter 16.10.2025
Nigeria Aviation and Aerospace Development minister Festus Keyamo has knocked Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu who reportedly accused some Nigerian pilots of substance abuse while on the job.
Mr. Keyamo’s media aide Tunde Moshood said in a statement Thursday that Senator Uzor Kalu’s “reckless and baseless” accusations were capable of causing public concern over air travel safety.
“It is one thing to call for higher standards; it is another to make wild claims without a shred of evidence,” Moshood said in the statement.
He added that Senator Uzor Kalu’s remark was a slight to aviation professionals “who dedicate their lives daily to ensuring passenger safety.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority also faulted Uzor Kalu who back in the late 90’s ran SLOK Airlines. NCAA director-general Chris Najomo submitted that pilots are not allowed to fly without a clean medical certificate.
“No pilot is permitted to operate a Nigerian-registered aircraft without holding both a valid pilot license and a current medical certificate, as required by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 8.4.1.4.
“Holders of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licenses (ATPL) 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.
“These medical certificates are issued only after comprehensive aero-medical evaluations by NCAA Authorized Aviation Medical Examiners, AAMEs, followed by approval of the medical report by NCAA’s in-house aero-medical assessors.
“The scope of these examinations is extensive. It covers cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, metabolic, respiratory, and visual assessments to ensure that the pilot is fit to operate an aircraft safely. Nig. CARs Part 2.11.2.6(b) details the physical and mental requirements that must be met before a medical certificate is issued.”
Keyamo...