Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Alleges Some Nigerian Pilots Smoke Indian Hemp Before Flights, Urges Swift Government Action

Nigeria’s aviation industry was thrown into controversy on Wednesday following a startling allegation by former Abia State governor and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who claimed that some Nigerian pilots sm%ke Indian h+mp before taking off with passengers onboard. The senator’s statement, made during plenary, has since stirred panic and raised serious questions about safety oversight, drug testing, and regulatory integrity within the country’s aviation system.

Speaking passionately before the Senate, Kalu did not mince words as he accused aviation agencies of gross negligence, alleging that many pilots operate under the influence of substances that could endanger lives. “The agencies overseeing these pilots are not doing enough. I’ve personally refused to board a flight because the pilot didn’t seem normal. Some of them sm%ke Indian h+mp yes, it’s true,” the senator declared, his voice ringing through the chamber as fellow lawmakers murmured in shock.

The former governor went on to criticize the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), accusing them of failing to enforce strict medical and drug assessments. “Pilots walk into the cockpit without anyone checking their bl++d pressure or dr¥g level. There’s no on-the-spot testing. It’s dang+rous,” he lamented. Kalu further revealed that he had personally intervened in a flight situation over suspicion that the pilot was unfit to fly. “Some take Indian hemp like cigar+ttes. If you go close, you can smell it,” he alleged, sparking murmurs across the Senate floor.

According to Kalu, the aviation industry has become complacent, with routine health and mental fitness checks being overlooked despite the high responsibility pilots carry. His comments have drawn attention to what some analysts describe as a “potentially explosive safety issue,” suggesting that if such claims are true, passengers across Nigerian airports could be unknowingly boarding flights with impaired pilots.

This revelation comes barely weeks after the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) reportedly announced that two Air Peace pilots had tested positive for alc+hol and cann@bis following a runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport in July 2025. The incident, which caused temporary flight disruptions, had already raised questions about the adequacy of pre-flight substance checks and psychological evaluations in the sector.

However, Air Peace swiftly denied the NSIB’s claims, insisting that none of its pilots or crew members tested positive for any substance. In a strongly worded statement, the airline emphasized its strict zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use, adding that its crew members were tested within an hour of the incident and all results came back negative. “Our airline prioritizes passenger safety above all else. We have one of the most rigorous internal testing systems in the industry. No crew member of Air Peace has ever tested positive for any banned substance,” the airline’s management asserted.

Still, Senator Kalu’s statement appears to have struck a nerve across the industry, as social media erupted with mixed reactions. While some Nigerians praised him for speaking out, others accused him of making unverified claims that could tarnish the reputation of the nation’s aviation professionals. Critics argued that Kalu should have presented concrete evidence rather than making sweeping accusations capable of causing fear among travelers.

Aviation experts, meanwhile, have called for an urgent and independent investigation into the senator’s claims. Captain Adewale Johnson, a retired pilot and safety consultant, described Kalu’s remarks as “disturbing but worth examining.” He said, “If the senator is speaking from personal experience or privileged information, then it must not be ignored. Aviation safety is built on trust, and that trust cannot exist if pilots are not medically and psychologically cleared before flights.”

He also noted that random drug testing is a global best practice in aviation, especially in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where pilots undergo surprise checks before boarding. “The NCAA should immediately introduce random substance tests before every flight departure, and any pilot who fails should be grounded indefinitely. It’s a standard procedure in other countries, and Nigeria cannot afford to compromise,” he added.

The Senate Chief Whip’s revelation also sparked reactions from the general public, with many passengers sharing personal stories online about suspicious behavior they had noticed among flight crew members. One social media user claimed to have once seen a pilot “looking visibly dazed” before a domestic flight, while another alleged that some crew members drink heavily during layovers. Although none of these claims have been independently verified, they have amplified public anxiety over aviation safety.

Meanwhile, officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority have reportedly taken note of the senator’s remarks but have yet to issue an official statement. A senior source within the NCAA, who spoke under anonymity, hinted that the agency might consider reintroducing surprise medical checks for pilots before takeoff. “We take every allegation seriously, especially when it comes from a senior public official. The integrity of our pilots is key to public confidence,” the source said.

Within the National Assembly, Kalu’s revelation has reignited debate about oversight and accountability in Nigeria’s transportation sector. Several lawmakers reportedly supported his call for urgent regulatory reform, urging the Ministry of Aviation to implement a strict policy of drug and alcohol testing for pilots and crew members. “This is about national safety,” one senator said after the plenary. “We cannot allow negligence in such a sensitive profession.”

The controversy also raises broader concerns about the culture of silence and poor enforcement in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Despite several incidents in the past involving crew negligence or technical errors, critics argue that investigations often end without meaningful sanctions or reforms. If Kalu’s allegations are proven true, it would not only expose lapses in Nigeria’s aviation monitoring system but also potentially endanger the lives of thousands of air travelers daily.

For now, the senator’s claims remain allegations, but the shockwaves they have sent across the country are unmistakable. Many Nigerians have begun demanding that the government publish comprehensive pilot health and safety statistics to reassure the public. Others are calling for the immediate suspension and screening of all active pilots pending new safety regulations.

As the uproar continues, the ball now lies in the court of aviation authorities to either debunk or act on the senator’s claims. What began as a routine Senate session has now evolved into a national debate on aviation safety, substance use, and regulatory accountability. Whether Orji Uzor Kalu’s revelation proves accurate or not, one thing is clear — Nigerians now want answers before boarding their next flight.

The senator’s bold statement has opened an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about what happens behind the cockpit door. And unless authorities move swiftly to restore confidence, every takeoff may now be accompanied by a silent question in the minds of passengers: Is my pilot really sober?