The Senate on Wednesday launched a sweeping investigation into the Air Peace runway overrun at the Port Harcourt International Airport and disturbing reports of drug use and poor oversight among Nigerian pilots.
The move followed a motion by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), citing the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the June 22, 2025 incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 aircraft.
Although no casualties were recorded, the report exposed serious lapses in aviation safety, including degraded runway conditions, inadequate lighting, and weak regulatory supervision.
“Nigeria has witnessed a surge in runway incidents and near-misses that could erode public confidence and endanger lives if left unchecked,” the Senate warned.
The upper chamber urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to implement the NSIB’s recommendations without delay, while mandating the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen compliance and conduct routine safety audits across airports.
FAAN was further directed to rehabilitate runways, improve airfield lighting, and upgrade navigational aids, starting with Port Harcourt. The Senate Committee on Aviation was given six months to investigate and report back with comprehensive recommendations.
During the debate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) raised a red flag over alleged drug use and lax pilot supervision, describing it as a “deadly and growing threat” to aviation safety.
“I’ve refused to fly several times because some pilots were clearly unprepared. Some depend on outside help, others even use substances before flights — and the authorities look away,” Kalu said.
He accused aviation regulators of failing to conduct mandatory drug and health checks on pilots before flights.
“Substance abuse in aviation is real — and deadly,” he warned.
Kalu also urged urgent action to fix Nigeria’s failing runways, stressing that “aviation safety begins from the ground.”
The Senate said the probe aims to restore public confidence and align Nigeria’s aviation operations with global best practices, insisting that safety lapses and substance abuse will no longer be tolerated.
“Aviation safety is non-negotiable — it is vital to national security, economic growth, and Nigeria’s global reputation,” the Senate declared.
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