The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded two pilots of ValueJet airline following a serious violation of aviation safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the NCAA revealed that the incident occurred on Friday, August 5, 2025, at the Domestic Terminal of the airport.
“Preliminary information raised, indicated that the pilot concerned commenced flight departure from the designated bay without undertaking his pre-departure clearance”, it added.
The aviation authority labelled the pilot’s actions as “reckless,” warning that such behaviour endangered the lives of ground staff and other airport users.
According to the NCAA, the conduct violated both national aviation regulations and international safety standards.
As a result, the licenses of the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and his co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, have been suspended.
“This suspension is immediate pending the successful and full investigation of the incident,” NCAA said.
The agency concluded by reaffirming its unwavering commitment to aviation safety and reassured stakeholders of its dedication to maintaining a secure aviation environment in Nigeria.
