Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Abia State governor and one-time owner of the now-defunct SLOK Airlines, has made startling allegations that some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp and take hard drugs before flying planes, which he claimed has contributed to numerous runway incidents and landing mishaps across the country.
Kalu made the revelation during Thursday’s Senate plenary while contributing to a motion on “Improving Aviation Safety in Nigeria”, sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, representing Oyo North. The debate centered on recent safety concerns within Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly after a number of runway incidents were reported in the past few months.
Kalu slams aviation regulators for negligence
Speaking passionately during the session, Kalu criticised aviation regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), accusing them of negligence and failure to enforce strict medical and drug screening procedures for pilots and other critical aviation personnel.
“I know exactly what I’m talking about because I once operated in the aviation sector,” Kalu declared. “Many pilots are not being properly checked before flights. Some of them use Indian hemp freely, and it’s shocking that nobody monitors their blood pressure or conducts drug tests before allowing them to fly passengers. The authorities responsible for their oversight have become extremely careless.”
Kalu went further to state that although most modern aircraft such as Boeing 737-500s are highly automated, pilots under the influence of drugs still pose serious risks, especially during take-off and landing operations that require high concentration and clear judgment.
“There were times I had to cancel flights personally when I discovered that a pilot was not in a proper condition to fly,” he revealed. “Some of them smoke Indian hemp like cigarettes, and you can perceive the smell even when standing close to them. This kind of recklessness should never be tolerated in an industry that carries human lives daily.”
Senators raise concerns about safety in aviation sector
Kalu also appealed to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to prioritise the maintenance of Nigeria’s airport runways, which he described as “dilapidated and unsafe.” According to him, several accidents and near-misses could have been avoided if proper oversight and regular inspections were conducted.
Adding to the debate, Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) expressed deep concern over Kalu’s revelation, describing the situation as “alarming and frightening.” He, however, cautioned his colleagues about discussing overly sensitive issues relating to flight safety in public, as such disclosures could negatively affect public confidence in the aviation sector and reduce patronage of local airlines.
Earlier in the plenary, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, who sponsored the motion, drew attention to the findings of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) concerning the June 22, 2025 incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 that overran the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport. The NSIB report, he noted, exposed serious lapses in safety management systems, inadequate infrastructure, and weak operational compliance by several airlines.
Senate orders probe into Kalu’s shocking revelations
Following the heated debate, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) moved a motion calling for a full-scale investigation into Kalu’s claims and other safety lapses within Nigeria’s aviation industry. The motion was unanimously supported by lawmakers, who expressed grave concern over the safety of air travel in the country.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, directed the Senate Committee on Aviation to immediately commence a comprehensive probe into the matter and present its findings within a stipulated time frame. He emphasised that ensuring safety and restoring public trust in Nigeria’s aviation system must be treated as a national priority.
Meanwhile, Kalu’s statement has continued to stir reactions among Nigerians, with many calling for an independent investigation into the alleged drug use among pilots and a review of existing aviation safety protocols. Aviation experts have also urged regulators to introduce mandatory random drug testing and stricter certification processes to ensure only medically and mentally fit pilots operate commercial flights in the country.