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By Chinelo Obogo
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, recently clinched the Director of the Year at the 2026 NIGAV Awards and an aviation stakeholder, Agbo Erasmus shared his thoughts in this interview on the significance of the recognition and the future of the industry.
The NIGAV Awards just held its 15th edition, how would you describe the significance of the event?
This was a landmark edition because the theme alone “Aviation Industry Rebirth” told you everything about the mood in the room. The industry was saying something about where it has been and where it intends to go. And the NCAA contingent went home with eight awards across different categories. This shows that something real has been happening within that institution.
Of all the awards presented, which stood out most to you and why?
The Aviation Agencies Director of the Year Award, without question. What made it extraordinary was the fact that 46 directors from agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development were all potential winners, so when a name is called in that category, it means something.
Were you surprised when the winner was announced?
Honestly, no. And I think most stakeholders who have been paying close attention over the past three years would say the same. Those of us who have followed the transformation in this industry have seen something remarkable happen in the space of consumer, passenger, and airline rights protection. That revolution points directly to his office, so the award was well deserved.
What does this award signify for the industry?
The recognition of Achimugu as NIGAV Director of the Year reflects a growing shift within Nigeria’s aviation sector towards transparency, effective communication, consumer protection, and genuine stakeholder engagement. At a time when the industry is confronting serious challenges like passenger dissatisfaction, flight disruptions, regulatory compliance gaps, public perception problems, his emergence as the standout leader of the year tells you what the industry now considers important. That is significant.
Some might argue that public affairs and consumer protection are not the most critical functions in an aviation regulator. How do you respond to that?
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That thinking belongs to another era. For a long time, aviation regulation was viewed almost entirely through the lens of safety oversight. That framing, while important, left enormous gaps in passenger welfare, dispute resolution, and public trust. Modern aviation governance now places equal emphasis on all of those things. Achimugu’s award is a direct and public rebuttal to the idea that communication and consumer protection are secondary functions. They are not. They are central.
What has he actually done for the average Nigerian traveller?
For years, Nigerians travelling by air have dealt with flight delays that come with no explanation, lost baggage handled with indifference, compensation claims that disappear into silence, and a general sense of powerlessness. Under his leadership, the Consumer Protection Directorate has intensified engagement with airlines, processed passenger complaints more efficiently, and actively educated travellers on what their rights actually are under Nigerian aviation law. He gave passengers a voice and made sure that voice reached the right places.
What does the award say to airlines specifically?
The message is clear and I hope they are listening that consumer protection is a central pillar of industry development. Airlines must improve their customer service standards, build functional complaint resolution mechanisms, and treat passenger satisfaction as a core business obligation, not a public relations exercise. This award raises the bar for everyone operating in this space.
Regulatory institutions in Nigeria have historically struggled with public visibility. Their work is often technical, procedurally complex, and difficult for the average citizen to access or understand. Through consistent media engagements, public sensitisation campaigns, stakeholder forums, and active use of digital communication platforms, Achimugu has bridged that information gap. The NCAA is now one that people can engage with rather than simply try to navigate around. That matters enormously for public confidence.
A transparent regulator promotes compliance, reduces misinformation, and strengthens stakeholder confidence. For an industry that is actively seeking increased investment and trying to compete globally, those things are not optional extras. They are foundational. You cannot attract serious investment into an environment where the regulator is opaque and the public does not trust the system.
Achimugu has spoken publicly about mutual accountability from airlines to passengers and passengers to the system. Do you think that framing has had an impact?
It has, and it is one of the things I most respect about his approach. Rather than simply pointing fingers at airlines or pandering to passenger frustration, he has consistently pushed for a balanced conversation, one where airlines honour their obligations and passengers understand the rules and procedures that govern the industry. That kind of balanced approach elevates the quality of public discourse and moves things forward. The award reinforces that accountability and responsiveness are now defining features of aviation leadership, not optional virtues.
What is the single most important thing this award says about Nigeria’s aviation?
Consumer protection, transparency, accountability, and effective public communication are not soft values to be celebrated when nothing more important is available. They are the architecture of trust on which a competitive, passenger-centred aviation sector must be built.
