(ZARIA) – The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria is seeking greater government funding and improved access to equipment as it positions itself to become a key training hub for Africa’s aviation industry. Among its most recent international engagements is a new agreement with South Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority, reflecting the college’s growing regional influence.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NCAT Rector Dr Danjuma Ismail confirmed the college had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Sudan last month. The agreement allows for the training of South Sudanese aviation personnel at NCAT’s Zaria campus.
“South Sudan’s aviation authority visited recently and formalised the training partnership,” Ismail said, highlighting that this move could pave the way for future cooperation.
He added that the college is also currently training students from Egypt and recently hosted participants from French-speaking African countries.
Despite these regional partnerships, the rector acknowledged that NCAT faces limitations. While its training programmes meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, the institution is constrained by a lack of equipment and funding.
The college, fully funded by Nigeria’s Federal Government, is grappling with financial shortfalls amid competing national priorities. “We have achieved a lot, but we need additional equipment and facilities to grow. With these in place, NCAT could become self-sufficient,” Ismail said.
Ismail explained that the college has already acquired a Boeing 737 simulator, which is used by Nigerian pilots to renew their licences domestically. This facility helps to reduce the country’s aviation capital flight, and it has also attracted international pilots who previously travelled to Zaria for advanced training.
| NCAT Facilities | Status |
|---|---|
| Boeing 737 Simulator | Operational |
| Other Aircraft Simulators | Requested for acquisition |
| ICAO Standards Compliance | Met |
| Regional MoUs (e.g. South Sudan) | Active |
He believes that if NCAT could obtain additional simulators for other aircraft types, it could become the first aviation college in Africa capable of serving the continent’s broad training needs. Such a move would be particularly beneficial for South Sudan, which lacks similar aviation infrastructure.
The rector also noted that the college is exploring ways to increase its internally generated revenue to ease reliance on federal allocations. However, he emphasised that without targeted investment, NCAT may not reach its full potential in servicing the aviation industry across Africa.
Efforts to modernise the campus include plans to enhance infrastructure, expand course offerings, and increase staffing levels. Ismail said these steps were aimed at building the college into a one stop solution for aviation training on the continent.
