Nigeria, March 26 -- Only five of Nigeria's 23 airlines have currently completed and passed the global safety certification by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), a review by PREMIUM TIMES has shown.

The IOSA certification audit is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation that assesses the operational management and control systems of an airline. IOSA uses stringent audit principles that sees airlines evaluated every two years.

The IATA on its webpage said Air Peace Limited, Allied Air Ltd, Arik Air Ltd, Azman Air services and Overland Airways Ltd are the certified airlines in Nigeria as of Friday. Nigeria has 23 operational commerical airlines, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA....