Despite persistent funding challenges, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has secured international accreditation for its academic programmes, upgraded critical infrastructure and expanded its training capacity, positioning the institution closer to global aviation standards.
The Rector of the college, Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila, disclosed this during a media briefing with journalists in his office in Zaria at the weekend, saying the achievements were recorded despite ageing infrastructure, inadequate funding and increasing demand for aviation training.
Dr. Ismaila said upon assuming office, his administration embarked on wide-ranging reforms to modernise the institution and restore its status as a world-class aviation training centre.
According to him, NCAT remains Nigeria’s only institution offering comprehensive aviation training, with more than 200 courses covering pilot training, air traffic control, aircraft engineering, aviation management and other specialised aviation disciplines.
“We inherited a system that required significant reforms and upgrades. Since coming on board, we have focused on improving our infrastructure and strengthening our academic programmes to align with international best practices,” he said.
The Rector said the college had rehabilitated and upgraded students’ hostels, classrooms and other critical facilities to improve learning conditions and meet international standards.
He added that NCAT retained its Platinum Membership and Centre of Excellence status while also securing accreditation from the United States-based Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI), a milestone he described as a major boost to the institution’s global reputation.
Dr. Ismaila further disclosed that the college had obtained membership of the National Council for Management Development (NCMD), enabling it to offer recognised management programmes, and restored its affiliation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), allowing the institution to run globally recognised IATA-certified courses.
He also revealed that NCAT became a beneficiary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) after obtaining accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), a development expected to strengthen infrastructure development, research and manpower training.
Looking ahead, the Rector said the institution was working towards obtaining certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which would enable its graduates to earn internationally recognised licences.
“When we achieve EASA certification, our graduates, including pilots and air traffic controllers, will receive dual certification, making them employable across the world without undergoing additional licensing requirements in many countries,” he said.
Dr. Ismaila also disclosed that the college was close to certifying its Boeing 737 Next Generation (B737-NG) full-flight simulator—the only one of its kind in Nigeria—for commercial operations.
According to him, the certification will not only strengthen pilot training within the country but also generate additional revenue for the institution by attracting airlines and aviation operators seeking simulator training.
Despite the achievements, the Rector said inadequate funding remains the institution’s biggest challenge.
While acknowledging support from the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, TETFund and the college’s internally generated revenue, he said available resources were still insufficient to meet NCAT’s growing training and infrastructure needs.
He disclosed that one of the college’s TBM training aircraft is currently grounded because of inadequate funds required for its maintenance and reactivation.
Dr. Ismaila also lamented the widening gap between demand for aviation training and the institution’s available capacity, revealing that NCAT currently admits only about 25 pilot trainees every six months.
“We can only admit about 25 pilot trainees every six months, which is inadequate for a country of over 200 million people. The demand is overwhelming,” he said.
He explained that because of limited training slots, admissions are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, with available spaces allocated to applicants who complete their registration first.
The Rector stressed the need for additional training aircraft, expanded training facilities and increased investment to enable the college to produce more aviation professionals capable of meeting Nigeria’s growing aviation manpower requirements.
He expressed optimism that sustained government support and strategic investment would further consolidate NCAT’s position as West Africa’s leading aviation training institution while enhancing its contribution to the global aviation industry.
