By Nosa Aituamen
The Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology NCAT, Zaria, Dr. Danjuma Ismalia says, the college is working on policy reforms that will require staff trained at the college’s expense to remain within the system.
This policy is coming on the heels of the loss of many trained staff members to private airlines and better paying aviation agencies due to salary disparities.
According to Dr. Ismaila, NCAT currently has the lowest remuneration among aviation institutions in the country, undermining its ability to retain skilled professionals.
The Rector disclosed that, negotiations are also underway with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to secure special salary considerations for the college, similar to those granted to the Petroleum Training Institute in the oil and gas sector.
“Our goal is to close the salary gap with the industry to retain our best talents. If we are to deliver on our mandate and support the growth of aviation across Africa, we must invest not only in equipment but also in people.”
With strategic investments in simulators, infrastructure, and staff development, Dr. Ismaila believes NCAT is on course to become a premier destination for aviation training across the continent and beyond.
To respond to the demand for entries into the college and challenges of accomodation, he said, the college is prioritizing the renovation and modernization of its decades-old infrastructure.
Many buildings date back to the 1960s and require urgent upgrades to meet international standards.
Dr. Ismalia stated that, classrooms, accommodations, and technical training facilities are being enhanced to appeal to international students and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global aviation training space.
“We are working toward creating facilities that reflect international standards. A student who’s familiar with the global aviation environment should feel confident and respected when they come to NCAT.”
Among the college’s most critical projects is the installation and certification of its Boeing 737 flight simulator, a long-delayed investment made five years ago.
Dr. Ismaila said, a task force to address the lingering issues was formed, and after high-level meetings with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, certification processes are now in motion and the simulator is expected to be operational within two months.
Despite these efforts, the rector stressed that, funding remains a significant hurdle and emphasized that it is difficult to project NCAT’s full training capacity for 2025 without adequate government support.
While he declined to give a specific figure for the funding gap, he confirmed that key projects, including simulators and infrastructure upgrades, remain stalled due to a lack of financial backing.
“The potential is there for NCAT to become a major player in global aviation training. When our flight simulators become fully operational, we expect to see interest not just from Nigeria but from Asia and other regions, due to the scarcity of simulator training facilities worldwide.”