Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has alleged that some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp before operating aircraft, a practice he claimed contributes to several runway incidents during landings.
The former Abia State governor and ex-owner of the now-defunct SLOK Airlines made the remark during a Senate debate on Thursday while discussing a motion on improving aviation safety in the country.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, representing Oyo North.
Speaking at plenary, Kalu accused aviation regulatory bodies of failing to properly monitor pilots and ensure they undergo regular drug and health checks.
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According to him, poor oversight by agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has made it possible for unsafe practices to thrive.
“I know what I’m saying because I have been in the aviation industry,” Kalu said. “The authorities in charge of these pilots are very careless. Some of them use Indian hemp and are not properly audited. Nobody checks their blood pressure or conducts drug tests before flights.”
He added that modern aircraft like the Boeing 737-500 are highly automated, meaning most landing and take-off operations are controlled by computers, not pilots. Kalu argued that human negligence and drug use are to blame for several recent landing problems.
“I’ve had to cancel flights in the past because I noticed my pilot wasn’t in the right condition,” he added. “Some of them treat Indian hemp like ordinary cigarettes, and you can perceive it when you get close.”
Kalu further called on the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to ensure regular maintenance of airport runways, many of which he described as being in poor shape.
Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) also raised concerns over the state of Nigeria’s aviation sector, describing it as “frightening.”
He cautioned against discussing sensitive operational problems in public, saying such discussions could discourage passengers from flying with local airlines.
Earlier, Senator Abdulfatai, who sponsored the motion, cited a recent Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on an Air Peace Boeing 737-500 that overran the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport on 22 June.
The report, he said, revealed major gaps in safety management, infrastructure, and operational compliance within the industry.