Man’s desire to move around globally has been with humanity from time immemorial. The desire to explore and move around the globe has indeed been an intrinsic part of human nature throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern times, humans have been driven to discover new lands, cultures, and opportunities.
This innate curiosity has led to:
Migration and settlement*: Humans have migrated to various parts of the world, settling in new lands and establishing diverse cultures.
Also, the desire to exchange goods and ideas has driven global trade and commerce, shaping economies and societies. Humans have ventured into the unknown, discovering new lands, oceans, and skies, expanding our understanding of the world.
Today, people travel for leisure, business, and education, fostering global connections and cultural exchange. This desire to move around globally has shaped human history, driven innovation, and continues to inspire new generations of explorers, entrepreneurs, and travelers.
This has made societies and governments establish transport agencies and the requisite institutions to provide the direly needed manpower for them. It is in this direction that NCAT Zaria was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria was established in 1964 through an Act of Parliament, specifically Act No. 31 of 1964.
This institution was set up to provide training in civil aviation courses, including flight training, aircraft maintenance engineering, Air Traffic control, airport engineering, security and management. Here’s a brief overview of NCAT Zaria’s establishment.
NCAT was founded to conduct civil aviation courses for use in pilot training, Air Traffic controllers, Aircraft maintenance engineering, airport operations, security, emergency, safety, and management.
The project was approved in 1963, and a bill establishing a Center for Civil Aviation Training at Zaria was passed by the Federal Legislature on September 29, 1964, and signed into law on October 23, 1964.
In 1977, the Board of Governors recommended changing the name from Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Center (NCATC) to Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), which was officially approved in 1986.
NCAT is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a Regional Training Centre of Excellence with a status of Platinum membership due to its high standards in aviation training.
NCAT’s mandate includes providing high-quality training for aviation professionals, enhancing aviation safety, and supporting the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond.
NCAT Zaria offers various programs, including:
Pilot Training: Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering: Training students to become licensed aircraft maintenance engineers.
Aviation Management: Courses in airport management, airline operations, and aviation safety management.
Air Traffic Control: Comprehensive training for air traffic controllers.
Aeronautical Telecommunications Engineering: Training students in the maintenance and operation of aviation communication and navigation systems
To effectively propel the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria towards enhanced performance, several key areas need attention:
Infrastructure Development: The college is building a 150-room hostel to address accommodation challenges and increase training capacity.
Simulator Acquisition: The college has acquired a Boeing 737 full-flight simulator and plans to procure an ERJ-145 simulator to cater for diverse training needs.
Infrastructure Upgrade: It’s also important to stress that modernizing ageing infrastructure, including classrooms and technical facilities, is crucial to meet international standards.
Training and Capacity Building (Expanded Training Programs) — NCAT offers over 200 programs, with a focus on meeting industry demands and global safety requirements.
NCAT is also strengthening partnerships with aviation agencies, airlines, and industry stakeholders to enhance training opportunities.
Also, implementing policy reforms to retain trained staff and addressing salary disparities can help reduce attrition rates.
Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives, like the decarbonization policy which NCAT has adopted, are helping to explore cleaner energy sources and convert vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce carbon emissions. Acquisition of modern training aircraft that use jet A-1 instead of AVGAS.
The college aims to earn carbon credits through its sustainability initiatives.
NCAT seeks to engage with the media to showcase its achievements, drive growth, and promote its role in aviation training.
The college is also open to constructive criticisms and feedback to improve its service.
By focusing on these areas, NCAT Zaria can enhance its performance, contribute to the growth of the aviation industry, and solidify its position as a leading aviation training.
NCAT Zaria is poised to become a leading aviation training hub in Africa, but it requires additional equipment and improved funding from the Federal Government to achieve its goals.
NCAT needs more simulators to train aviation professionals, particularly for different aircraft types. The college currently has a Boeing 737 simulator but requires additional ones to meet industry demands.
NCAT relies heavily on federal funding, which is often insufficient. The college needs improved budgetary allocations to upgrade its facilities, retain skilled staff, and expand its training programs.
NCAT’s infrastructure, like hostel facilities, needs modernization and upgrade to meet international standards and accommodate the growing number of students.
By providing more training locally, NCAT can help reduce Nigeria’s aviation capital flight and earn foreign exchange by attracting international trainees.
With improved funding and equipment, NCAT can meet the growing demands of the aviation industry, producing highly skilled professionals and contributing to the country’s economic growth.
NCAT’s training programmes can help improve aviation safety standards in Nigeria and beyond, aligning with global best practices.
To drive the premier Aviation College in Nigeria and Africa, Dr Danjuma Adamu Ismaila was appointed as the new Rector and Chief Executive of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
This was a testament to his acumen, knowledge and wealth of experience in the sector. Indeed, by this well-deserved appointment, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu passed a vote of confidence on this unassuming core professional whose desire for knowledge, patriotism and unblemished service is unparalleled.
Dr Ismaila is an expert in air transportation management, transport economic policy, and aviation security. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in Physics in 1989 and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Transportation. He furthered his education and acquired Phd in Aviation Economic Policy from the University of Huddersfield, UK.
Before his appointment, Dr Ismaila served as a lecturer at the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, where he contributed to the academic and professional development of future transport and aviation professionals.
He is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the UK, and the Air Transport Research Society, among others.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved Dr. Ismaila’s appointment on February 19, 2025, with the expectation that he would strengthen NCAT’s role in training aviation professionals and enhancing Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Dr Ismaila replaced Mr. Joseph Imalighwe, who had been serving in an acting capacity since December 13, 2023.
With his extensive experience and expertise, Dr Ismaila is well-positioned to lead NCAT in its mission to provide world-class aviation training and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Addressing newsmen in Zaria recently, the Rector appealed to the government for additional equipment and improved funding to harness its potential for providing the manpower needs of the aviation sector in the region.
Dr Ismaila said that the college was poised to become an aviation training hub and a one-stop solution for aviation industry training in Nigeria and beyond.
“Currently, the college is in partnership with some African countries, such as Kenya, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, among other African countries. Last month, the Civil Aviation Authority of South Sudan visited the college, where we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them on training.
“We have trainees from Egypt who spent almost six weeks on training, and two months ago, trainees from French-speaking countries were at the college for different trainings.
He, however, added that none of these countries have an aviation college that was as big as NCAT in terms of programmes and infrastructure. Ismail said, “In spite of these, NCAT is also lacking in some other aspects, notwithstanding, our courses are meeting the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
“However, upon assumption of office, I realised that the college has the potential to make more impact on the aviation industry in the region.” This, according to the rector, shaped his decision to reposition the college in terms of infrastructure, manpower, additional programmes and equipment towards achieving these goals.
While acknowledging the monumental successes of the college in bolstering the manpower needs of the Aviation industry in Nigeria and Africa, the rector stated that it was solely funded by the Federal Government.
Ismail added, “As such, it encounters hitches in meeting its funding needs,’ stressing that the challenge was not peculiar to the college alone, as there were other competing demands to be addressed by the government.
He said the college was innovating means to enhance its internally generated revenue to address the funding gaps. “If we can provide additional equipment and facilities, the college can be self-sufficient in terms of funding,’’ he said.
The rector said the college had a Boeing 737 Simulator, which reduces the country’s capital flight, adding, “Nigerian Pilots do not have to travel abroad to renew their licences or other forms of further training.”
Ismail added that foreign pilots used to come to NCAT Zaria to train using the Boeing 737 Simulator. If we acquire additional simulators for all aircraft, the college will be self-sustaining and it will be the first in Africa to meet the major needs of the aviation industry,’’ he said.
Expatiating further, the erudite and prolific don explained that the ongoing runway expansion project, which is nearing completion, will offer the much-needed solution for airlines seeking options beyond the Kaduna Airport.
Dr Ismail, the Rector, averred that the institution may soon be able to offer its services to accommodate more air traffic for bigger and commercial aircraft. The rector said the college had discovered that there were opportunities to attract much commercial traffic.
“Right now, Kaduna Airport is having difficulty handling traffic in the afternoon and evening due to some security challenges around the area. Some airlines are looking for options, and NCAT can offer such services when the runway expansion is fully completed,’’ he said.
Dr. Ismail said the first phase of the contract awarded for the expansion of the runway about five years ago was ongoing, and it would be completed by the end of this year. He added that the college would subsequently commence the procurement process for the second phase of the project.
The rector explained that the college was still at the preliminary stage of the second phase of the project, decrying, “because some people are claiming parts of the area earmarked for the construction of the runway belong to them. The claim is still subject to litigation,’’ Ismail said.
It’s hugely imperative to note that the runway is 1.6 kilometers, which was originally designed for the types of aircraft used for training exercises and other smaller aircraft.
Similarly, the rector said the college was working to convert the acquired Zaria Hotel into a four-star hotel for accommodating students and other members of the public, he explained: “Some students who might find the college’s hostel not convenient. Some of these students are international pilots who have thousands of flying hours.
“They are already rich guys; you will not expect them to find our conventional hostel convenient, hence the need for a befitting accommodation for them. The hotel was purchased at the cost of N1.313 billion from the Africa Continental Hotel, managers of the facility, sometime in June 2023.
However, the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, said the hotel was to be converted into classrooms and hostels for NCAT. He said then, “This acquisition is intended to expand NCAT’s capacity and enhance its training facilities. The conversion will provide additional learning and accommodation options for the students.”
It’s certainly indisputable to state that with the extant trajectory, this untiring achiever whose profile is ever-soaring is set to take NCAT to more greater heights. With the right support, funding and political will, Dr Bala Ismaila will really and undoubtedly propel the college to become an inevitable hub in Aviation training in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
Mani, a journalist, is based in Kaduna
