Month: June 2025

CHUKS OKOH, The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), is to empower over 100 airport communities youths in its Aviation Upskilling Development Programme (AUDP), approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2025. The implementation of the AUDP, follows the approval by Tinubu for a national structure for youth empowerment across Ministries and Agencies. To key into this, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has directed agencies under its purview, including the NCAA to align their youth- related efforts with the national framework. Speaking during a programme at the NCAA Annex in Lagos, its Director General, Captain Chris Najomo said over 100 youths have been selected from communities around airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Kano to participate in multidisciplinary sectors. Najomo said the AUDP initiative will assist the youths to understand and navigate their way into the aviation sector. He said: “But, as a deep and firm believer in the future of young Nigerians.We are here to introduce a modest but important initiative: the Aviation Upskilling Development Programme (AUDP). But more importantly, we are here to speak honestly and constructively about the real opportunities that exist in aviation and how you, as young graduates, can position yourselves to take advantage of them. “The Aviation Upskilling Development Programme (AUDP) is not an overnight solution. It is a growing initiative aimed at helping young Nigerians, particularly graduates, understand and begin to navigate their way into aviation. “From documentation systems to surveillance tools, aviation today runs on digital skills. Master tools like Microsoft Excel, basic GIS, safety reporting apps, or data visualization platforms, engaging partners to support skill-building initiatives. We will not over-promise. But we will do our part —step by step— to open the space and carry young Nigerians forward into the aviation future. “To every young person listening to me today: aviation is open to you, but you must be ready to learn, to work, and to lead. The journey may not be easy, but it is worth it. “Let the Aviation Upskilling Development Programme be a conversation starter. Let it be a bridge between where you are and where you want to go. We look forward to walking that bridge with you.” Najomo said the  objectives are to develop skills for key aviation roles, bridge the skills gap, support job creation, foster international collaboration, and promote sustainable aviation practices by equipping professionals with knowledge on sustainable aviation practices, including environmental regulations, renewable energy sources, and green technologies. Through this programme, Najomo said the NCAA seeks to empower the next generation of aviation professionals by offering them the tools and resources required to succeed. It will address the specific training needs of the aviation industry and ensure participants gain a strong foundation in the global standards and best practices that define it today. The target participants are recent graduates from tertiary institutions, undergraduates, and fresh school leavers; young professionals looking for career transition; women and under-represented groups in aviation; and current aviation workers seeking professional development. In her remarks, Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Anastasia Gbem said : ” This initiative is a crucial step towards addressing the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector, including talent shortages, regional disparities, and gender imbalances. The AUDP is designed to empower young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and guidance they need to succeed in the aviation industry. Our goal is to equip the next generation of aviation professionals with the tools and resources they need to excel in this dynamic industry. ” I  am confident that this initiative will contribute significantly to the growth and development of Nigeria’s aviation industry, creating job opportunities, reducing unemployment, and enhancing our standing in the international aviation community.” In the closing remarks, Regional Manager,  South West, NCAA , Mrs Olubukola  Aduragbemi Teriba  said : ” The NCAA is proud to host this empowerment Programme to align with the NCAA broader vision to build a suitable and globally competitive aviation sector in Nigeria which will prepare and equip the Nigerian youth with specialized technical knowledge needed to confidently step into the array of jobs available within the industry thereby creating jobs opportunities, reducing unemployment and enhancing Nigeria’s image in the international community. “As the regulator, NCAA is not only a custodian of safety, security and economic oversight, but duty bound to ensure inclusivity, access to opportunities and a sustainable future workforce for our industry. “As we gather here today, we are reminded of the challenges faced by Nigeria on how to create jobs for youths, skilled workers in the Aviation Sector. So, this initiative will fill in the gap to prepare young Nigerians by equipping them with technical knowledge which will prepare them to take up jobs available in the aviation industry.”

  -SETS TO START LONDON HEATHROW CHUKS OKOH The Chairman of Air Peace, Bar Allen Onyema says his proudest moment in his life was when he deployed all his aircraft for the evacuation of Nigerians in crisis ridden areas across the globe. Speaking at a media parley in his office at Ikeja, Onyema noted that during Covid, the airline ferried Nigerians free of charge while it also moved stranded Nigerians from Sudan, Turkey among others He noted that the airline was established to give back to the society and has provided job opportunities to young Nigerians adding that the airline has paid its dues. Onyema cautioned Nigerians to do away with the ‘pull him down syndrome’, stressing that those contributing their quotas to the country should be commended. The Air Peace boss called on Nigerians to be deliberate in promoting local businesses as government alone can not do it all He commended the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr Festus Keyamo, for transforming the the aviation sector adding that he brought back the Ease of doing business in the sector Onyema said, Nigerian airline operators in the next few weeks will start receiving their first dry leased aircraft. He said the present government has made it easy for local airlines to thrive positively. Onyema said, no airline will gain anything from delay or cancellation of any flight as such airlines will loose revenue adding that about 95 per cent of delays were caused by other factors He condemned unruly behaviour by passengers stressing that any disruption in the process will spill over for a whole day. “Delays are not synonymous with Nigeria. It happens everywhere and nobody likes being delayed” The Air Peace chairman said, the airline delayed when it was necessary for them to delay for safety. According to Onyema, the airline had two bird strikes last week which affected 16 flights adding, that in the last five years, the airline had over 115 birds strikes with 30 this year. He said, Air Peace strategized since May 12 by leaving 3 aircraft not flying to serve as support for in times of emergency with 85 percent on time performance. Onyema assured of new customers services to be rolled out by the airline soon describing it as first if it’s kind in the sector. He announced that Air Peace was expecting more aircraft and will increase it’s frequencies for local flights while on the regional flight, Congo and Gabon will be added. Meanwhile, Air Peace is set for London, Heathrow from Abuja as from October 26th this year Onyema also revealed that it will be doing Gatwick daily from Abuja while in September, the airline will be going to Antigua on daily flight operations. He explained that the airline started its preparation four years ago for the Carribean flights adding that the fleet of 777 has been increased to four. Onyema also announce the commencement of China operations soon saying the contract with another airline has ended. On maintenance of the aircraft, he said Isrealis were in charge of the maintenance of the fleet with spare parts support from the United Kingdom On why the airline stopped some of its routes, Onyema said, there were some issues surrounding the routes adding that the routes were being studied.