Amid Funding Challenges, NCAT Upgrades Facilities

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has upgraded critical infrastructure, secured key international accreditations and expanded its training capacity despite persistent funding challenges, the institution’s Rector, Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila, has said.

Speaking at a media briefing with journalists in his Zaria office at the weekend, Dr. Ismaila said the college embarked on extensive reforms after inheriting ageing infrastructure and operational challenges, with the goal of restoring NCAT to international standards.

According to him, NCAT remains Nigeria’s only institution offering comprehensive aviation training, with over 200 courses covering pilot training, air traffic control, aircraft engineering and other aviation-related 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 one of the administration’s major achievements was the rehabilitation and upgrade of students’ hostels, classrooms and other critical facilities to meet global standards.

He added that the college retained its Platinum Membership and Centre of Excellence status, while also securing accreditation from the United States-based Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, (formerly known as Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Center) was set up by Act. No 31 of 1964 (as amended), to conduct:

Dr. Ismaila further disclosed that NCAT 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 said the college became a beneficiary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) following its accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), a development he described as a major boost to infrastructure development and training.

The Rector revealed that NCAT is working towards obtaining European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, which would enable its graduates to obtain internationally recognized licenses.

“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 is 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 strengthen pilot training within the country while creating an additional revenue stream for the institution.

Despite the achievements, the Rector identified inadequate funding as one of NCAT’s biggest challenges.

While acknowledging support from the Federal Government, the Ministry of Aviation, TETFund and the institution’s internally generated revenue, he said available resources remain insufficient to meet the college’s growing needs.

He disclosed that one of the college’s TBM training aircraft is currently grounded due to inadequate funds required for its maintenance and reactivation.

Dr. Ismaila also lamented the widening gap between demand and available training capacity, noting 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 facilities and increased investment to enable the college to produce more aviation professionals and meet Nigeria’s growing manpower requirements.

Dr. Danjuma expressed optimism that sustained government support and strategic investment would further consolidate NCAT’s position as West Africa’s leading aviation training institution and enhance its contribution to the global aviation industry.