The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has denied the alleged claim by Orji Uzor Kalu that some pilots operate under the influence of illicit drugs, describing it as a “baseless claim” and demanding a public apology from the senator.
It denied the accusation in a statement seen by Pinnacle Daily on Friday, October 17, signed by its public relations officer, Blessing Ahmadu.
The statement reads: “The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has received with deep concern the unsubstantiated claims made by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during a plenary session of the National Assembly, alleging that some pilots in Nigeria smoke Indian hemp and operate aircraft while under the influence of drugs.
“NAAPE categorically and emphatically refutes the broad allegation that Nigerian pilots routinely fly under the influence of narcotics.
“These baseless claims, which constitute a malicious attack on the professionalism, integrity, and reputation of Nigerian aviation professionals, are not only false but represent a dangerous misrepresentation of the rigorous safety standards that govern Nigerian aviation operations.”
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Pinnacle Daily reports that Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, had on Wednesday, October 15, on the floor of the Senate, accused some pilots of taking illicit drugs.
He criticised the lack of rigorous checks within the aviation sector, blaming the development on regulatory failures, particularly on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to properly monitor pilots and ensure safe flight operations.
According to NAAPE, every pilot in the country is bound by strict regulatory, medical, and ethical standards established by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements.
It said these standards prohibit the use of any psychoactive substances and subject pilots to regular and random drug and alcohol testing as part of their medical certification and recurrent assessment processes.
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It pointed out that Aviation operations in Nigeria involve multiple layers of oversight, including pre-flight medical checks, recurrent simulator training, random toxicology screening, and continuous monitoring by both operators and regulators.
It said any isolated case of misconduct by an individual, if established, is swiftly met with disciplinary and regulatory action by the relevant authorities.
NAAPE said while it recognises the distinguished Senator’s right to contribute to discussions on aviation safety, it urges all public figures to avoid making sweeping statements that can cause unwarranted alarm among air travellers, demoralise professionals, and erode public trust.
It believes that constructive engagement with facts and institutions remains the most effective path to improving safety oversight.
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“NAAPE calls on the Senator to immediately substantiate his claims with verifiable evidence presented to the appropriate statutory government agencies, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), or issue an unreserved public withdrawal and apology to the nation’s aviators.
“NAAPE also appeals to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to issue a public clarification on existing drug and alcohol testing procedures for pilots, to further reassure the flying public and correct any misconceptions arising from this allegation,” NAAPE stated.
Its President, Bunmi Gindeh, commented, “It is unacceptable to make unsubstantiated claims against a community of professionals. The burden of proof lies with whoever makes such an allegation, and it must be supported by evidence or withdrawn with a public apology. Everyone appears to speak as an aviation expert in this country except the professionals who are trained and certified to do the job. For too long, individuals outside the industry have attempted to define its operations, and one would have expected a former airline operator to understand this better. Sadly, this is not the case.
“We take great pride in our safety record and remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism,” Gindeh added.
The association further called on the distinguished Senator and members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Aviation to engage with NAAPE and other stakeholders to understand the comprehensive safety framework that governs pilot training, certification, and operations in Nigeria.
“We remain committed to upholding the highest professional standards among our members and will continue to collaborate with regulatory agencies, operators, and international partners to advance safety, discipline, and excellence across all aspects of Nigerian aviation.
“The travelling public is assured that Nigerian pilots remain among the most competent, disciplined, and safety-conscious professionals globally,” NAAPE added.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
