Nigeria's Overland Airways Makes History as Africa's First ISO-Certified Airline
In a development that carries weight well beyond Nigeria's borders, Overland Airways has officially become the first airline on the African continent to receive ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification [[certification-strengthening-commitment-to-quality-management-in-nigerias-aviation-industry-everything-you-need-to-know/). The achievement places the Lagos-based carrier in a select group of operators worldwide whose internal processes, service delivery, and safety protocols meet the rigorous benchmarks set by the International Organization for Standardization.
The certification was formally handed over at the airline's head office earlier this week, following months of detailed audits that examined every layer of the company's operations. The evaluation measured Overland's documented systems and procedures against internationally recognised standards, covering everything from how the airline manages day-to-day workflows to how it handles customer experience and risk.
Mr. Noruwa Edokpolo, Managing Director of NECA's Global, presented the certificate alongside lead auditor Miss Ibukun Ajala, who praised the airline's consistent discipline and cooperation throughout the lengthy assessment period. On the airline's side, Mrs. Aanu Benson, Chief Administrative Officer and the internal champion who guided the ISO process, called the milestone a clear reflection of the carrier's determination to embed quality thinking into every part of its business.
For Captain Edward Boyo, the airline's Managing Director, the certification is far more than a plaque on the wall. He described it as a strategic framework that will shape how Overland grows, operates, and serves its passengers going forward. His message to staff was direct — quality must become a way of life, not a one-off project, especially as the airline broadens its footprint across Nigeria with services on routes including Ibadan, Warri, and Minna.
What makes this story particularly noteworthy for the African travel trade is the wider context. Overland Airways is not a newcomer to international accreditation. The carrier already holds an 11-year IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification and is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Stacking the ISO quality credential on top of these existing benchmarks sends a strong signal to partners, agents, and passengers that the airline is serious about meeting global expectations — not just regional ones.
ISO 9001 certification is widely regarded as a gateway to new market opportunities and deeper customer confidence. It tells the world that an organisation has built processes promoting operational efficiency, continuous improvement, and risk management. For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa who book clients onto domestic Nigerian flights, or who package multi-city West African itineraries, having a certified carrier in the mix adds a layer of assurance that is increasingly important to today's discerning travellers.
It is also worth noting where the global standard itself is heading. The body responsible for ISO 9001 has already confirmed that a revised version of the standard is expected in September 2026. Overland's decision to achieve certification now positions the airline well ahead of those changes, giving it time to adapt and stay compliant as requirements evolve.
The bigger picture here speaks to a shift happening across African aviation. Carriers on the continent are no longer content to operate in isolation from international quality frameworks. They are actively pursuing the same credentials held by major airlines in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. For the travel trade, this means better products to sell, fewer service-related complaints, and stronger arguments when pitching African air travel to hesitant clients.
Overland Airways may still be a modest-sized operator compared to some of its continental peers, but with this latest milestone, it has set a standard that others across Africa will now be measured against. The question for the rest of the industry is simple — who follows next?
