What is SMS?
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured approach for managing safety risks that includes goal setting, planning, and measuring performance Federal Aviation Administration. For Nigerian aviation, the NCAA requires airline operators and aviation service providers to implement SMS to facilitate proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation Iclg.
Legal Framework
The SMS requirement is embedded in Nigeria’s regulatory structure:
- Civil Aviation Act 2022: Section 62(1) mandates the NCAA to establish a State Safety Programme (SSP)
- Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 2023: Part 20 specifically covers SMS requirements
- The framework aligns with ICAO Annexes 1, 6, 8, 11, 13, and 14
Four Core Components of SMS
According to ICAO standards adopted by NCAA, an SMS consists of:
- Safety Policy and Objectives
- Management commitment and responsibility
- Safety accountabilities
- Appointment of key safety personnel
- Coordination of emergency response planning
- SMS documentation
- Safety Risk Management
- Hazard identification
- Safety risk assessment and mitigation
- Using the Hazard and Effects Management Process (HEMP)
- Reducing risks to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)
- Safety Assurance
- Safety performance monitoring and measurement
- Management of change
- Continuous improvement of the SMS
- Safety Promotion
- Training and education
- Safety communication
Who Must Implement SMS?
SMS is required for:
- Air operators (commercial airlines, cargo operators)
- Aircraft maintenance organizations (AMOs)
- Aerodromes/airports
- Air traffic service providers
- Training organizations
- Other certificated aviation service providers
Implementation Process
Step 1: Gap Analysis
- Assess current safety practices against SMS requirements
- Identify what needs to be developed or improved
Step 2: Develop SMS Manual
- Document your SMS policies, processes, and procedures
- The manual should describe how SMS operates and links to organizational safety goals
Step 3: Establish Safety Organization
- Appoint a Safety Manager/SMS Coordinator
- Form a safety committee
- Define safety accountabilities throughout the organization
Step 4: Implement Safety Culture NCAA emphasizes developing a positive safety culture with:
- Informed Culture: Knowledge sharing across the organization
- Reporting Culture: Confidential, non-punitive reporting systems
- Just Culture: Balancing accountability with blame-free reporting
- Flexible Culture: Following procedures while seeking improvements
- Learning Culture: Continuous improvement from incidents and near-misses
Step 5: Establish Reporting Systems NCAA has deployed SMS Pro (www.ncaasms.com), a web-based safety data collection system Ncaa that service providers must use for mandatory reporting. Organizations receive customized access handles for submitting reports.
NCAA Oversight
The NCAA uses a Safety Trend Indicator (STI) system to assess operators’ risk levels. Inspectors evaluate organizations based on factors including:
- Financial stability
- Management changes
- Audit findings
- Safety culture
- Training commitment
- Documentation quality
Key Requirements
- Safety Manager: Must be independent, with direct access to senior management
- Safety Reporting: Both mandatory and voluntary systems required
- Documentation: Comprehensive SMS manual and procedures
- Training: Regular SMS training for all personnel
- Data Analysis: Systematic collection and analysis of safety data
- Emergency Response Planning: Coordinated plans for emergencies
Resources Available
NCAA provides several guidance documents:
- NCAA-AC-SMS-001: Advisory Circular on SMS implementation
- NCAA-AC-SMS-002: Guidance on developing an SMS manual
- NCAA-AC-GEN006: General SMS guidance
- Form SP-SMS 006: Guidance on establishing a service provider’s SMS
Recent Developments
In August 2025, NCAA deployed the National Aviation Safety Reporting System through SMS Pro, bringing Nigeria into full compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices.
Practical Tips for Implementation
- Start with management commitment – SMS cannot succeed without top-level buy-in
- Scale appropriately – SMS should be commensurate with your organization’s size and complexity
- Focus on culture – Technical compliance alone won’t create a safe operation
- Use data effectively – Collect, analyze, and act on safety information
- Provide feedback – Close the loop with reporters to maintain reporting culture
- Integrate with existing systems – Don’t create parallel structures; embed SMS in daily operations