The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has mandated its Committees on Air Force and Aviation to conduct a full-scale audit of all aircraft within the presidential and military fleets to assess their serviceability, operational readiness, and overall airworthiness.
The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Government to prioritize the funding of regular maintenance programs and the urgent replacement of ageing military aircraft to prevent future tragedies.
These resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu (APC, Enugu West) to honor the 25 officers and crew members who lost their lives in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on October 5. In a mark of respect for the victims, the Senate previously postponed its National Security Summit indefinitely, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared three days of national mourning with flags flown at half-mast nationwide.
Highlighting the grave concerns surrounding recurring military aviation accidents, Senator Ngwu emphasized that potential factors such as poor maintenance, obsolete equipment, and operational safety lapses must be confronted directly through transparent, independent investigations.
Supporting the motion, key lawmakers contributed actionable recommendations during plenary debate:
Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North / Senate Chief Whip) underscored the urgency of establishing the precise airworthiness and readiness of the NAF fleet to avert repeat occurrences.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) and Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West) advocated for a complete review of the Air Force’s maintenance budget proposals to evaluate whether historical funding allocations have been sufficient to maintain safety standards.
Following a unanimous voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate officially resolved to:
- Direct the Senate Committees on Air Force and Aviation to audit presidential and military aircraft and conduct an on-site visit to the Igbokoda crash location.
- Urge the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to complete a thorough investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make the findings public.
- Recommend that the Federal Government guarantee sustained funding for equipment maintenance and systematic fleet replenishment.
Senate President Akpabio concluded the session by calling for a minute of silence to honor the fallen service members, while the NAF has assured the public of its full investigation and committed to providing full benefits to the families of the deceased.
