The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, remains one of the continent’s most prominent aviation institutions, dedicated to producing highly skilled professionals for the aviation sector.
Established in 1964, NCAT has evolved into Africa’s largest Approved Training Organisation (ATO), shaping the careers of pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, and other aviation specialists across the region.
While aviation training in parts of Africa continues to lag behind industry demand Ethiopia’s academy trains fewer than 50 pilots annually and Rwanda’s Akagera Aviation School just about 30 NCAT has positioned itself to fill the manpower gap. In contrast, countries like India produced over 1,600 commercial pilots in 2023 alone, underscoring the urgent need for Africa to scale up.
As an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Regional Centre of Excellence, NCAT is focused on delivering training that meets global standards, enhancing aviation safety and reducing reliance on foreign academies.
Rector of the College, Dr. Danjuma Ismaila, said his administration’s priority is to reposition NCAT as Africa’s premier aviation training hub. According to him, the college is expanding its programmes, upgrading facilities, and acquiring modern simulators and aircraft to meet evolving industry demands.
“Our vision is to strengthen NCAT’s role as a regional hub, so African countries no longer need to depend on overseas centres for aviation training,” Ismaila explained.
Already, NCAT has invested in key infrastructure such as the Boeing 737 NG Simulator which saves millions in capital flight as Nigerian pilots no longer need to travel abroad for type rating and an aircraft fire-fighting simulator for safety training.
To address funding challenges, the college is exploring revenue-generating opportunities, including the conversion of the Zaria Hotel into a four-star facility for international trainees and extending its runway to attract more commercial traffic.
The college’s fleet expansion, through the acquisition of Diamond Aircraft that run on cost-efficient Jet A1 fuel, has already cut aviation fuel costs by 75 percent. However, delayed deliveries due to funding gaps remain a concern.
Ismaila noted that while NCAT has made remarkable progress, more investment is needed to sustain its growth. “With additional facilities, equipment and deliberate policies to absorb our graduates into airlines, NCAT can fully establish itself as Africa’s leading aviation training hub,” he said.
For Nigeria and Africa at large, NCAT’s renewed drive reflects not just a commitment to manpower development but also to aviation safety and regional competitiveness