Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, is facing growing concerns over aviation safety as a surge in bird strikes threatens operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), one of the nation’s busiest and most economically vital gateways.
EpeInsights reports that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said MMIA recorded a staggering four bird strike incidents in a single day on Runway 18R in early 2025.
The alarming figure has amplified fears over aviation hazards at a time when Lagos continues to play a central role in regional commerce, logistics, and international business.
Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at NCAA, Engineer Godwin Balang, revealed that the bird strike problem is not isolated to Lagos as Airports in Port Harcourt, Owerri and Akwa Ibom are also affected.
However, the frequency and concentration of such incidents in Lagos are particularly worrisome due to the city’s strategic economic position and high air traffic volume.
“Lagos is not just Nigeria’s commercial hub—it is West Africa’s aviation nerve center,” Balang stated. “Ensuring operational safety at MMIA is a national and regional imperative.”
The NCAA attributes the spike in bird strikes largely to inadequate waste management and unchecked vegetation near airport environments issues especially critical in urban megacities like Lagos, where infrastructure and environmental control must keep pace with growth.
In response, the NCAA has ramped up surveillance and monitoring efforts and issued new advisory circulars urging aerodrome operators to implement global best practices in wildlife hazard management.
Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMPs), modeled on ICAO standards, are now mandatory under the 2023 update to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has also stepped in, investing in advanced bird control technologies to reinforce safety at high-traffic airports—with MMIA at the top of the list. The acquisition of these systems reflects Lagos’s strategic priority in Nigeria’s aviation framework.
The Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, emphasized that the agency views bird strike prevention as a top priority.
He confirmed that several NCAA personnel have received specialized training at institutions such as the University of Missouri, equipping them with the tools needed to manage the complex wildlife dynamics at major airports like Lagos.
“As the gateway to Nigeria’s economic heartland, we cannot afford disruptions at MMIA,” Najomo said. “Our focus is on creating a resilient, globally compliant safety culture—starting in Lagos.
