Nigeria’s recurring struggles with unauthorised air movements, unregulated mineral extraction, and transnational terrorist mobility expose long-standing weaknesses in its national air and border defence systems. Recent events—including the detention of a Nigerian military aircraft in Burkina Faso—further highlight inconsistencies in Nigeria’s own compliance framework and the incomplete state of its aviation governance. This report examines the structural gaps, provides comparative analysis with peer African states, references relevant international aviation laws, and outlines evidence-based recommendations for establishing a sustainable and holistic national air and border defence coverage system capable of deterring unauthorised flights, securing territorial integrity, and restoring federal authority in vulnerable regions.
The Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention, 1944) establishes the global legal foundation for airspace sovereignty:
Article 1: “Every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory.”
Article 3(c): State aircraft cannot fly over another State’s territory without authorisation.
Annex 2 – Rules of the air mandates flight plans, altitudes, identification, and communication requirements for aircraft transiting national airspace.
Article 10: States may designate specific airports for international arrivals and require prior authorisation for landing.
In line with these rules, no responsible nation permits aircraft to fly, land, or operate within its airspace without prior notice, explicit approval, or an emergency exception. States are also empowered to intercept unauthorised aircraft using standardised protocols (Annex 2, Appendix: Interception of Civil Aircraft).
Nigeria’s laws reflect the same norms. Under the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022, sections relating to air navigation, security oversight, and aviation safety reinforce federal authority over approval, monitoring, and enforcement. However, implementation remains inconsistent.
Despite its large population, significant economy, and considerable geopolitical influence, Nigeria’s airspace surveillance and border management capacity lags behind that of comparable African states.