The Gusau International Airport (GIA) in Zamfara State has passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) quality assurance tests and inspections ahead of the commencement of scheduled commercial flights next month.
The development clears a major regulatory hurdle for the airport as it prepares to commence commercial air services between Gusau and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Zamfara State Government said XEJet Limited is expected to operate flights twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, beginning from the first week of October.
An official of a leading Nigerian aviation agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said GIA successfully completed ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance and approval process for instrument flight procedures.
The process, according to the official, forms part of Nigeria’s implementation of corrective measures recommended following ICAO’s safety oversight assessments.
ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is responsible for setting international standards for civil aviation and promoting the safe and orderly development of international air transport.
Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 75 per cent following an ICAO audit in 2023.
The aviation official disclosed that an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) conducted in April 2026 identified a Significant Safety Concern (SSC) in Nigeria’s civil aviation system.
The concern was subsequently resolved within the prescribed 40-day period, although Nigeria was required to implement additional medium-term corrective action plans.
As part of the corrective measures, instrument flight procedures at several airports across the country were subjected to ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance and approval process.
The official said Gusau International Airport was the only airport among those assessed to have completed and passed all 17 stages.
«“Of all the airports assessed, only Gusau International Airport (GIA) completed and passed all the 17 steps,” the official said.»
He added that evidence of the airport’s successful completion of the process was included in documentation submitted to ICAO.
Following the validation exercise, Nigeria’s Effective Implementation score rose to 95.1 per cent, according to the official.
The development comes less than two weeks after the Zamfara State Government signed an air route development partnership agreement with XEJet on September 21 for scheduled flights between Gusau and Abuja.
The state government said the new route is expected to improve air connectivity to Zamfara while creating easier access for investors, businesses and visitors.
The commencement of scheduled flights will also mark a significant step in the operationalisation of Gusau International Airport, which is expected to strengthen the state’s connection to Nigeria’s commercial and administrative centres.
