The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has called for stronger collaboration with the judiciary to deepen understanding and enforcement of legal instruments governing the nation’s aviation industry, particularly the Cape Town Convention (CTC).
Najomo made the call at the grand finale of the International Cape Town Convention Moot Court Competition, held at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday evening. The event was organized under the auspices of the CTC Academic Project, with support from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA, and the Aviation Working Group (AWG).
Represented by the Director of Operations, Licensing and Training, Captain Donald Tonye Spiff, the NCAA boss said the Cape Town Convention — which comprises the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (2001) and its Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment — has significantly improved Nigeria’s global reputation in aviation commerce.
QT Places Error: the selected post type doesn't exists or is not active in the plugin settings.“The Cape Town Convention has placed Nigeria in a better light before aircraft lessors and the international aviation business community,” Najomo stated.
He explained that the moot court initiative was designed to familiarize law students, academics, and members of the judiciary with the intricacies of the Convention, particularly as it relates to contractual disputes and asset financing in the aviation sector.
“This programme aims to help participants understand the practical application of the Convention by engaging them in complex hypothetical legal scenarios in a simulated judicial setting,” he said.
Najomo noted that, prior to Nigeria’s adoption and effective implementation of the Convention, many aircraft manufacturers and leasing firms were reluctant to conduct business in the country. He credited the new confidence in the sector to the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN).
“Through the leadership of the Honourable Minister, we are now in the good books of global aviation partners. This programme serves as an enlightenment effort to demonstrate that Nigeria is ready and open for business,” he added.
The Director-General also commended the students who participated in the moot court for their display of intelligence and advocacy skill, describing their performance as evidence of the country’s “strong intellectual capacity in every sector.”
Speaking at the event, the Secretary-General of the Aviation Working Group (AWG) and Co-Director of the CTC Academic Project, Jeffrey Wool, expressed delight at Nigeria’s hosting of its first international Cape Town Convention moot court.
“The CTC is an essential international treaty ratified by Nigeria, and this moot court introduces students and the judiciary to its practical relevance,” Wool said. “It is economically vital to the country and strengthens the confidence of international financiers in Nigeria’s aviation system.”
He also acknowledged the Federal High Court for recently adopting a practice direction to guide the handling of CTC-related cases, describing it as a major step toward legal consistency and investor assurance.
The event simulated an actual courtroom session, with two opposing legal teams drawn from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) arguing a fictional case based on CTC principles. The competition was presided over by Justices Binta Nyako (chair), Joyce Abdulmalik, and James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
At the end of the session, Osauyi Temiloluwa Agbonwaneten, lead counsel for the UNIBEN team, emerged the overall best advocate, while Adedayo Michael of UNILAG came second. Falotan (UNILAG) and Bawi Toluwaleyi Testimony followed in third and fourth positions respectively.
Eighteen universities representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones participated in the preliminary rounds, with the University of Benin and University of Lagos advancing to the final stage held on November 12.
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