By Charles Olewezi
The Rector/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila, has stated that the institution made tremendous achievements in the last one year despite its funding challenges.
Dr. Ismaila made this submission during the facility visit of Media Editors and Reporters to NCAT Headquarters, Zaria, Kaduna State at the weekend.
Answering questions from the journalists, he said NCAT under his leadership has succeeded in upgrading some of its dilapidated facilities, bringing them to international standards.
Dr. Ismaila explained that NCAT has achieved certifications from some of the major international aviation accrediting institutions and revalidated programs that were suspended.
“Our programs are very rich because they have met all the international standards. So, we ensure that we are affiliated to more international bodies which enrich our program. First, we maintain our ICAO membership Centre of Excellence with platinum status.
“We are also able to accredit our programs with the accreditation board internationally. It’s a U.S.-based organization. We have achieved that. We have also achieved accreditation with the National Council of Management and Development.
That’s if you are running any programs on management like CMD, you need to be a member of the National Centre for Management Development. We have achieved that.
We have also revalidated our affiliation with IATA, International Aviation Transport Association. We used to be a member before we were suspended”, he stated.
On the challenges confronting the institution, the Rector said inadequate funding has been a perennial problem but that the present administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is addressing it.
Dr Ismaila explained that a lot of funds are needed to maintain the institution’s training aircrafts and even to acquire new ones.
“We wish to state that some of our critical infrastructures, especially one of our aircraft, is now grounded because of a lack of funds. And we also need additional aircraft.
“Another challenge we are facing is excessive demand for pilot training all over the country. We have limited capacity to admit. We can only admit a maximum of 25 in a class.
“Then after six months, we can admit another 25. This is a very poor number compared to the overall general demand in a country of about 200 million people.” the Rector noted.
Dr. Ismaila explained that the availability of funds for the acquisition of more training aircrafts will solve the problem.
He appreciated President Tinubu and members of the National Assembly for the support NCAT has received so far from the government but pleaded for more assistance to enable the institution fully utilize its potentials, which he said would generate foreign exchange for the nation.
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, (formerly known as Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Center) was set up by Act. No 31 of 1964 (as amended), to conduct:
- Civil Aviation courses for use in flight training or airport operations & management as may be prescribed from time to time.
- Training of approved persons in the installation, maintenance and operation, as the case may be, of technical equipment, the use of which is calculated or likely to increase the margin of operational safety of civil aircrafts.
- Training on equipment and necessary facilities for technical research or normal use.
The idea of a center for aviation training in Nigeria was first mooted at an International Forum, the 12th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, held in San Diego, California, USA, in 1959. The Federal Government of Nigeria then formally requested the United Nations Development Programme to appoint an expert to assess the actual requirements for the setting up of a Civil Aviation Training Center in Nigeria. The report of the project was approved in 1963, and a bill establishing a Center for Civil Aviation Training at Zaria, Nigeria, was passed by the Federal Legislature on 29th September, 1964, and signed into law on October 23, 1964.
The Center was established as a joint programme between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This joint programme of assistance from the UNDP and ICAO came to an end on 31st December, 1974 and the Federal Government of Nigeria assumed full responsibility for the continued management and operation of the College.
In 1977, the Board of Governors of the College recommended to the Federal Government a change of name from NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATION TRAINING CENTER (NCATC) to NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY (NCAT), in anticipation of expansion of training and related activities. Official approval did not come until 1986, when the Government issued a White Paper on the “Report of the Fact-Finding Panel into the Activities of the Civil Aviation Department in the Federal Ministry of Aviation”. The change of name was reflected in Decree No. 41 of 1990.
The College boasts of more than 60 years of experience in providing human resource development in the aviation industry in Africa And has today become a reputable global provider of aviation training. NCAT undertakes training programmes to meet both national and international requirements. Training is also provided in non-aviation-specific areas such as computer equipment maintenance and satellite communication principles.
Since its inception, NCAT has produced well over 40,000 professionals in the aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond.
The College has recently enhanced its facilities with a Boeing 737NG Simulator, a 3D Visual Tower Simulator, a fleet of Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft, a Live Fire-Fighting Simulator, a Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Trainer, a Solar Thermal Energy Training System, a Gas Turbine Engine Trainer, and a TBM 850 aircraft for flight training, among others.
NCAT is a member of ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS, supporting the ICAO vision of standardizing and enhancing aviation training globally. The College is also registered with the Aviation Accreditation Board International, the NCMD for management training accreditation, and the National Board for Technical Education. In addition, NCAT has reactivated its membership with the West African Management Development Institutes Network (WAMDEVIN). Beyond our regular programmes, we offer customized courses tailored to specific organizational needs, which can also be delivered on-site. NCAT provides an excellent, peaceful, safe, and healthy environment for learning. You are welcome on board.