Port Harcourt airport receives global certification for meeting safety requirements

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Rivers state government says the Port Harcourt International Airport has received full certification and licence following the successful completion of the global safety standards required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The milestone comes after about 40 years of operation, the state government said in a statement on Sunday.

The certification followed the recent upgrade, modernisation and expansion of infrastructure as well as the provision of critical safety equipment at the airport.

Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers governor, received the certificate when Lynda Ezike, regional general manager of south-south airports and manager of the Port Harcourt International Airport, led a delegation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt.

The visit was to present the certificate to Fubara, “under whose watch the massive upgrade of the airport took place”.

Speaking to journalists, Ezike acknowledged the immense contributions of the Rivers state government towards the upgrade of the airport.

She said the airport is now able to meet the safety requirements stipulated by both local and international industry regulators.

“We came here on a historic note to present the certificate to His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, because he made it possible,” Ezike said.

“This certification is no mean achievement. The Port Harcourt International Airport, which is the gateway to Rivers State and the entire South-South region is now certified.

“This implies that the stage is now set for more international operations. More international flights can now come to the airport feeling safe than (sic) the airport has met the safety standards required globally.

“The issuance of the certificate is a direct reflection of the unwavering support of His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara in infrastructure upgrade and provision of critical equipment to meet the national and global safety regulations and standards.”

According to Ezike, the certification announces the Nigerian state as a key player in the global aviation safety programme.

In December 2025, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, inaugurated the reconstructed Port Harcourt airport road and flagged off the construction of the airport bypass and tollgate project.

This was after the federal executive council (FEC) approved contracts worth over N900 billion for rehabilitation and infrastructure upgrades of the Lagos and Port Harcourt airports.

The airport is among the facilities the federal government is considering for concession.