The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has joined forces with the judiciary to strengthen the understanding and application of laws guiding contractual engagements within the country’s aviation industry.
This was revealed at the grand finale of the International Cape Town Convention (CTC) Moot Court, held on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under the auspices of the CTC Academic Project.
Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, called for increased judicial collaboration to promote awareness of aviation-related legal frameworks, particularly those covered under the Cape Town Convention.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the CTC encompasses the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (2001) and its Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment.
Represented by the NCAA Director of Operations, Licensing and Training, Capt. Donald Spiff, Najomo said the adoption of the convention had improved Nigeria’s reputation among aircraft lessors and international aviation investors.
He explained that the moot court programme was designed to acquaint students, academics, and judicial officers with the CTC’s provisions through simulated legal exercises involving complex hypothetical scenarios.
Najomo added that the event offered an educational platform for students to engage practically with aviation law and judicial processes.
He noted that before Nigeria’s adoption of the CTC, many aircraft manufacturers and leasing companies were reluctant to engage in business within the country due to legal uncertainties.
“Through the support of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), Nigeria has regained the confidence of global aviation partners,” he said.
“This programme sends a clear message that our aviation sector is now better aligned with international standards and open for business.”
Najomo also applauded the law students for their outstanding performance and professionalism during the competition, describing their presentations as proof of the intellectual capacity available within Nigeria’s academic institutions.
The Secretary-General of the Aviation Working Group (AWG) and Co-Director of the CTC Academic Project, Mr. Jeffrey Wool, expressed delight at the successful hosting of Nigeria’s first international CTC Moot Court.
He noted that the CTC remains a critical international treaty ratified by Nigeria, adding that the competition serves as a valuable tool for integrating its principles into the country’s legal and judicial systems.
Wool highlighted that the Federal High Court had recently issued a practice direction for handling CTC-related cases, further strengthening Nigeria’s legal infrastructure for aviation business.
The event, held in Court 3 of the Federal High Court, featured a simulated courtroom session involving student teams from the University of Benin and the University of Lagos, who emerged as finalists from a pool of 18 universities representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, with Justices Joyce Abdulmalik and James Omotosho as panel members, the moot court assessed participants’ advocacy and understanding of aviation law.
At the end of the competition, Osauyi Agbonwaneten of the University of Benin emerged the overall winner in advocacy, followed by Michael Adedayo of the University of Lagos, while Falodun Daniel and Bawi Testimony placed third and fourth, respectively.
The moot court was jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Aviation Working Group (AWG), to promote excellence in aviation law and build capacity among future legal professionals.