NCAA Denies Orji Kalu’s Claim That Nigerian Pilots Smoke Indian Hemp Before Flights
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has refuted claims by Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia North that some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp before flights.
Kalu had made the claim during the Senate plenary on Wednesday.
He alleged that some pilots get “high” before flights and blamed drug use and poor regulatory oversight for runway-related incidents and operational lapses.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the director-general of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, the authority described the claim as baseless and misleading, insisting that all the licensed pilots in Nigeria undergo rigorous medical, professional, and safety checks before they are cleared to fly.
The regulator noted that it runs an internationally recognised system for certifying and monitoring the medical and professional fitness of all pilots operating in Nigeria.
“No pilot is permitted to operate a Nigerian-registered aircraft without holding both a valid pilot licence and a current medical certificate,” the NCAA stated, citing Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 8.4.1.4.
It added that holders of commercial pilot licences and airline transport pilot licences must possess a Class 1 medical certificate issued only after comprehensive aero-medical evaluations by NCAA-authorised examiners and verified by in-house aero-medical assessors.
“These examinations cover cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, metabolic, respiratory, and visual assessments to ensure the pilot’s physical and mental fitness,” the statement said.
The tests, it explained, also screen for the use of psychoactive substances, mental or behavioural disorders, and other conditions that could impair safe flight operations.
The NCAA asserted that Nigeria’s aviation regulations explicitly forbids any crew member from acting as a flight crew member within eight hours after consuming alcohol or under the influence of any psychoactive substance.
“In accordance with this regulation, the NCAA carries out on-the-spot alcohol and drug testing when there is reasonable suspicion of intoxication,” Mr Najomo explained.
He added that the aviation industry watchdog also conducts random, unannounced substance tests on crew members, with results admissible as legal evidence.