Category: Aviation

  CHUKS OKOH. Rector Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Dr Danjuma A. Ismaila, has decried the institution’s wage profile as critically low and demotivating. He described the situation as the main reason poor wages trigger talent loss and the continued exit of trained professionals to other agencies offering better remuneration packages. He made this known during an oversight visit to the College by Chairman House Committee on Aviation Technology, Honorable Tajudeen Kareem Abisodun. According to a statement signed by Director Information, Dr Jude Amadi, the committee, during a tour of NCAT’s facilities, was received by Dr Ismaila and his top management team, seize the opportunity to give an overview of NCAT’s key contributions to aviation manpower development. The Rector said NCAT continues to be the leading provider of skilled professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry. However, he explained that inadequate compensation was leading to brain drain and disruption in training continuity. Dr Ismaila stated, “Our trained personnel are regularly poached by sister agencies and private companies offering significantly higher salaries. This situation is not sustainable.” He noted that while the college enjoys government support, retaining experienced staff has become a significant challenge due to better incentives outside NCAT. Therefore, he appealed for legislative backing to review the salary structure and make NCAT more competitive. Furthermore, he praised the commitment of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and other previous administrations for their support. However, he emphasised that more effort is needed, particularly in budgetary allocations. According to him, this will help the college meet rising demands and address pressing operational gaps. He assured the lawmakers that his administration is focused on repositioning NCAT. Plans are underway to harness the institution’s capacity and derive long-term benefits for the college and the entire aviation industry. In response, Chairman House Committee on Aviation Technology, Honorable Abisodun, commended the leadership and contributions of the college. He said the Rector’s presentation gave a clear picture of the institution’s priority needs and assured that the committee would assess them carefully. He also affirmed the committee’s readiness to partner closely with NCAT to tackle its major challenges. He stressed the importance of the college to Nigeria’s aviation growth and pledged consistent legislative support. Committee members who accompanied the Chairman were visibly impressed with the college’s training facilities. They commended NCAT’s progress and pledged continuous collaboration to strengthen its capabilities. Dr Ismaila reiterated that unless urgent attention is given to staff welfare, poor wages trigger talent loss will remain a persistent issue.

  CHUKS OKOH. The proprietor of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and management, Engr Isaac Balami says, the institution will serve as a stop gap to the current high cost of training of professionals in the country’s aviation sector   Speaking on a television interview monitored in Lagos, Balami, whose university was recently  given license by the National University Commission, disclosed, that over 100 applicants across Africa have shown interest for enrollment into the University.   Balami noted, that students will have five years to learn in the university what he acquired for almost twenty years in the industry   According to the former two time president of  Aircraft  Pilots and Engineers, with his knowledge and experience garnered worldwide and haven operated the 7Star Hangar with so many  aircraft including the Presidential aircraft doing their various maintenance, the institution will be next to none   Balami explained, that students of the institution will have access to Hangars weekends and public holidays and each student is expected to 1,500 hours on a live aircraft loggings to know about, engine overhaul, landing gears, airframes, structure repairs, among others   He explained that at the time of graduating, the student would have had up to 7000 hours on a live aircraft   Balami added, that student will be graduating with Pilot License, Nigeria Civil Aviation  license and with the European license   He revealed that most of the trainings will supervised by some professionals from British Airways while they already have to train engineers on Boeing and Airbus which will give students opportunity to obtain such certificates   On efforts to ensure that standard was maintained, the university proprietor said, there was no going back with high standards as it took him four years to get the university approved by the government and to get the license from the NUC   Balami thanked the federal government assuring that huge capital flights abroad will be greatly reduced with the taking off of the university.

  CHUKS OKOH Following reports of delays and fight cancellations experienced by passengers of Air Peace, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt Chris Najomo, has summoned the management of the airline. Capt Najomo told the airline to immediately improve on its domestic operations owing to complaints of chronic flight delays and cancellations by the travelling public. Speaking in a tensed meeting with some management staff of Nigeria’s largest domestic operator in Abuja, Capt. Najomo advised the airline to trim its operations to the size of available aircraft presently in its fleet. The airline acknowledged that it has some challenges that were not unusual in the industry, but they were working round the clock to fix same. The DGCA asserted that, while the NCAA will continue to support the airlines, the operators must comply with the regulations and global best practices. Capt. Najomo warned that the NCAA has increased its monitoring of flight operations.

  CHUKS OKOH. Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Engr. Umar Farouk, has disclosed that plans for the commencement of an improved condition of service for its staff has reached advance stage as part of measures to ensure it workforce are well remunerated in line with the aspiration of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo to create supportive environment for workers. The NAMA MD, who was represented by the Director, Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo noted that the agency has engaged with representatives of the workforce in the various workers unions in the industry in order to arrive at an agreed welfare packages for its workers. Speaking at the May Day ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed Airport organised by the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) in Lagos, Mr. Tayo commended the staff for their commitment and devotion to the services of NAMA, affirming that their commitment has brought the agency to the level it is today. Speaking of the improvement in their welfare since the inception of the current administration, Mr. Tayo said “You recalled that at the inception of this administration we inherited a moribund condition of service and I want to say today that we have paid all our staff, we have executed that condition of service.” According to him, “regarding the new condition of service and the minimum wage we have set up a committee with the unions, we have worked on it, they held a meeting in Kano and we are just at the concluding stage of discussion to begin the payment of the new minimum wages.” The ATS Director affirmed that the welfare packages are in line with the vision and programme of the Minister who has taken the welfare of the workers as a top priority. “The new condition of service which has been overtaken by events will be paid very soon. We have also introduced so many allowances in our old condition of service. You will bear with me that there was nothing like outfit allowances, we even paid in arrears. Very soon you will smile, pretty soon you will laugh.” He told the jubilant workers. Also, he said “Again last year we changed the fortune of our staff. We were not going for local and international training, this year, we have commenced another training session for all staff of NAMA. We continue to engage the unions, we are part of you, we are behind you and we will continue to support you to see that our staff are well taken care of.”

CHUKS OKOH A frontline labour leader in the country has warned that the country is moving towards the part of imperialism with various policies of government in the country Speaking exclusively in Lagos, the general secretary of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Comrade AbdulRasaq Saidu, warned that that country has entered into the imperialist system of government According to him, happenings in the country, such as the poor minimum wage, exchange rate, political instability and the economic downturn that are currently witnessed have made Nigerians poorer than before and pointers to imperialism. Saidu said, all was not well with Nigerians as they were not happy in their country especially with the way the political class were conducting themselves He condemned the high level of insecurity in the country saying, that killings and kidnappings have become the order of the day without control from the security agencies “The insecurity in the country has made life unbearable in this country. Hence there is ‘Japa’ syndrome in the country. Unless we must take our destiny in our hands, we don’t have people to save us from the yoke of imperialism. Nigeria has entered into the imperialism system of government and we can not allow it to continue” Saidu cited an instance where government spend huge amounts of money to reposition airports and set to concession such airports saying it was slavery. He warned that concession of airports will doom the nation, security and otherwise. The ANAP scribe challenged members of the National Assembly to rise up to the occasion and stop fighting one another adding that, the crop of lawmakers are not for the people. “These are the things the National Assembly should look at and not to be fighting each other. We know that the previous National Assembly members were independent and challenged the policies of government but this one now are not for the people” Saidu declared. Saidu stated that Labour has weakened the power of governance and the institute that is supposed to enforce laws He said the economic, social life and political life of Nigerians has worsening and called on Nigerians to wake up and fight for their right through a united front. The ANAP scribe urged workers to unite and fight the war of capitalism and neo colonialism to free Nigerians from the yoke of foreign detatorship being introduced into the country. “There is nothing in this world that matters in motion and the matter in motion is economic survival, freedom of economy. We can be having government and not producing anything and taking of oil everyday”

CHUKS OKOH Weeks after its successful 49th non elective Annual General Meeting in Lagos,  the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and its members across the country ,  will be going to Banjul,  the Gambia for critical training on travel trade and refresher courses on other related concerns. President of NANTA ,  Mr Yinka Folami, who is leading the team,  had  stated during the Lagos confab that the members of the association must take advantage of training opportunities and exposure to help them navigate through the ever demanding and dynamic nature of travel trade business and related concerns not just as expected of serious trade professionals but also to generate other streams of income to keep ahead of competition. ” Our Banjul training expedition is not a jamboree but our strategic growth plan for our members, which began two years ago  and given breath by our immediate past president,  Mrs Susan Akporiaye who inaugurated the first training exposure with university of Johannesburg in collaboration with South Africa Tourism and Ghana Tour Operators Association.  So, the Banjul training exposure is to deepen that process,  open doors of many untapped opportunities for our members,  particularly on the various value chain of intra Africa travel and tourism which again,  nanta headlined in recent times,” nanta president stated further Folami whose leadership took NANTA back to the protective umbrella of United Federation of Travel Agencies Association ( Uftaa), the global industry trade body,  stressed that NANTA members must make continuous training and retraining expectations as key pillar of their survival and growth,  adding that the association has never considered acts of frivolities and wasteful lifestyle as part of its strategic growth development plan and would always take steps that would benefit the rank and file of the association. ” From the response so far,  our Banjul  , Gambia training and related industry exposure,  will be bigger than what we did last two years.  We have our best hands managing it for us and from the reports on my table,  it will be sad if any member or businesses registered as our member fail to attend this outing slated for  the last week of May, 2025. Our faculty team is ready, and as we have always done,  it will be an opportunity to market Nigeria tourism and also showcase our collaborative strength and reach within the trade circles in Africa and the world in general.  So those who are yet to register should reach out to the secretariat before the  closing  date   in the next two weeks.” Mr Yinka Folami explained.

  CHUKS OKOH For stepping up security across the aviation sector, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has applauded the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for convening a high-level symposium focused on the pivotal role of aviation security in ensuring safer skies. Speaking during her goodwill message at the event themed “Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving the Safe-Skies Goal”, Mrs Kuku described the gathering as both timely and necessary in today’s dynamic security landscape. Addressing an audience comprising regulatory authorities, aviation professionals, airline operators, and security experts, Mrs Kuku commended the leadership of the NCAA, under the stewardship of Director General Captain Chris Najomo, for what she termed a “crucial initiative” that promotes collective engagement and strategic dialogue in the aviation sector. “This symposium could not have come at a better time,” she remarked. “Our gathering here will go a long way in promoting security consciousness, fostering collaboration, and enhancing aviation security governance across Nigeria in alignment with ICAO standards, particularly Annexe 17. The significance of this cannot be overstated.” Emphasising the increasing complexity of aviation threats amidst rapid technological advancement, Mrs Kuku highlighted the need for unwavering and adaptive security frameworks. “Our commitment to reinforcing aviation security must be steadfast. Through dialogues like this, where expertise, experience, and innovation intersect, we can collectively share strategies that ensure safety without compromising operational efficiency.” She expressed optimism that the symposium would provide a platform for exchanging best practices and developing innovative approaches to bolster airport security nationwide. “I am confident that our collective expertise will shape the future of aviation security in Nigeria,” she said. Recognising the roles of diverse stakeholders, she stated, “We acknowledge the invaluable contributions of regulatory bodies, airline operators, security agencies, and other critical players in upholding the highest standards of security in our aviation ecosystem.” The FAAN MD concluded by reaffirming her agency’s commitment to supporting collaborative efforts that safeguard passengers, crew, and the public. “I commend the Director General of the NCAA for his foresight in convening this event. May the outcomes of this symposium lead us ever closer to achieving truly safe skies.” The symposium is part of the initiatives and strategic planning toward deepening the implementation of aviation security measures across Nigerian airports.

  CHUKS OKOH. The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Lagos State chapter, on Monday stressed the importance of safety standards to the growth of the aviation industry. The Chairman of ISPON Lagos Branch, Mr Olusola Ogunleye, made the call during a media interactive session held in Lagos. Recall that the session commemorated the International Labour Organisation (ILO) World Safety Day. The 2025 ILO World Safety Day is with the theme: ‘Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work’. According to Ogunleye, the aviation industry focuses not only on passenger traffic, but on ensuring safe take-offs and landings, maintaining its status as the safest transport mode. He noted: “In 2014, ISPON reviewed its training portfolio to introduce a new course called ‘Aviation Safety.’ This model is performing well.” Ogunleye revealed that, within a few months, the ISPON Aviation Charter would be inaugurated to strengthen aviation safety initiatives further. “We understand Nigeria can no longer stand on the fence regarding safety,” Ogunleye said. He added that ISPON is collaborating with agencies such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to establish health and safety desks. Ogunleye stated that FAAN already has a desk, with plans underway for wider adoption across aviation agencies. “Very soon, all safety personnel must be certified by ISPON; Air Peace, Green Africa, and Sahara Aviation have already signed up,” he said. Speaking on the 2025 ILO theme, Ogunleye highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) is now a transformative force in workplace innovation. He said: “AI-powered systems can predict hazards before they occur, allowing proactive measures to prevent accidents.” He explained that machines now analyse patterns in real-time, detecting risks unseen by the human eye. “Wearable devices monitor workers’ vitals, alerting supervisors to signs of fatigue or stress to prevent health crises,” he added. Digitalisation, Ogunleye said, further enhances these capabilities by equipping workplaces with Internet of Things (IoT) technology. “Smart workplaces now track environmental conditions like air quality, temperature, and noise levels, ensuring safer environments,” Ogunleye explained. He added that digital training platforms offer immersive simulations, preparing workers for high-risk scenarios without actual exposure to danger. Ogunleye noted the major benefits of AI and digitalisation as reduced incidents, enhanced efficiency, and, most importantly, saving lives. However, he cautioned that AI integration must prioritise ethical considerations, data privacy, and ensure inclusivity for all workers. He called for collaboration across industries, government, and institutions, emphasising ISPON’s readiness to partner with relevant agencies. Ogunleye also urged the government to invest more in technology and infrastructure to promote workplace safety and innovation.

CHUKS OKOH, Nigeria’s aviation sector is set for a major transformation with a regulatory overhaul targeting 92 airstrips across the country. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced tightened oversight anchored in the Civil Aviation Act 2022, aiming to address crumbling infrastructure, illegal operations, and stalled economic potential. According to NCAA Director General Captain Chris Najomo, the airstrips are lifelines for rural communities, and the regulatory overhaul will prioritize size-specific permits, emergency response integration, and rural development. The NCAA said it has begun audits, and non-compliant operators risk penalties. Only a fraction of the airstrips currently hold valid permits, suggesting safety risks. The authority said it aims to fast-track upgrades and has pledged workshops to address challenges, ensuring regulations to foster growth and not stifle it. The NCAA seeks partnerships to convert dilapidated strips into hubs for healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. Captain Najomo emphasized that safety isn’t negotiable, while Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards Engr. Godwin Gyang Balang stressed collaboration, noting that unlicensed airports face sanctions by 2026. The summit united state governors, private operators, and global experts, with discussions focusing on funding gaps, outdated infrastructure, and permit delays. The NCAA aims to prove even remote runways can uplift communities, and the reforms symbolize a broader shift from enforcement to empowerment. The authority bets on synergy to turn forgotten runways into engines of prosperity. With monthly progress reviews and public dashboards for transparency, the NCAA is committed to ensuring the regulatory overhaul achieves its goals.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, will reopen for flight operations on Monday, 28th April 2025, following the completion of emergency runway repairs. On April 18th, 2025, FAAN had announced that due to a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway, the runway would be shut down for emergency repairs. The work was scheduled to begin on April 22nd and conclude before reopening on May 6th, 2025. FAAN’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah says “rehabilitation works on the runway have been completed, and the runway is cleared for landings and takeoffs by the engineers working with FAAN. FAAN appreciates all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation during this time. The Authority sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience but assures the public that all actions were taken in the interest of safety.”