The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced the operationalisation of the EMPIC software system, known formally as the Electronic Master Plan for Inspections and Certification, following an internal stakeholders’ engagement held on 5 December 2025.
The EMPIC software system assists aviation regulatory authorities in managing and conducting inspections, certifications, and oversight activities within the aviation industry and provides a centralized platform for aviation regulators to streamline and automate various processes related to inspections and certifications.
The platform is now live for Personnel Licensing and will expand to Aeromedical functions once the second phase begins. The EMPIC software system marks the start of a structured digital migration that aims to replace manual procedures with modern, transparent and efficient regulatory processes.
Director-General, Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, said the deployment forms part of the Authority’s ongoing digital transformation aimed at improving its safety oversight mandate. He explained that the EMPIC software system will deliver quicker service for pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers and aircraft maintenance engineers who rely on timely licensing and medical renewals. According to him, the previous manual approach restricted efficiency, created bottlenecks and affected the predictability of regulatory outcomes, while the new platform provides a central digital channel for all approvals.
The EMPIC software system supports global aviation regulation by aligning its functions with ICAO’s safety and licensing requirements. It integrates personnel licensing, aircraft registration, type certification and aeromedical oversight into a unified digital environment. This ensures that inspector assessments, operator applications and document reviews occur on a single platform, therefore reducing administrative fragmentation. The system also introduces secure card-based licences embedded with QR codes, which will enhance authentication at aerodromes and improve the reliability of compliance checks across the sector.
Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engr. Balang Godwin, outlined the technical blueprint for the rollout and confirmed that biometric data-capture centres will open in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. Balang doubles as Chairman, Flight Stand Group of the NCAA encapsulating the three technical directorates in the regulatory body. He explained that NCAA is implementing an internal sensitisation programme to prepare relevant directorates for the transition and support them as they adjust from paper-based procedures to digital workflows. In addition, he noted that the Authority is monitoring staff readiness to ensure that adoption proceeds without operational disruption.
Balang explained that the EMPIC Software system is being deployed in phases to ensure a smooth transition for users.
Phase 0, which involved delivery of the EMPIC software package and licence, has been completed. Phase 1, covering project initialization, software download and system setup, is also fully done.
He added that Phases 2 and 3 are now 95% completed. These phases introduce key modules such as Customer Management, Query Synthesizer (QS), Security (SEC), Flight Crew Licensing (FCL), Maintenance Personnel Licensing (AML), and Air Navigation Services (ANS) for ATC and ATSEP. They also include workflow features, the Document Management System (DMS), the LPLUS examination platform, question banks, and Aviation Medicine (AvMED).
Phases 4 and 5 will follow in Q1 2026. They will cover Aircraft Type Certification, Aircraft Registration, and Organisational Approvals, including AOC, AMO and ATO oversight.
Because the EMPIC software system covers surveillance, reporting and enforcement, it strengthens the NCAA’s ability to perform risk-based oversight. Inspectors can now assign risk scores to operators, assess performance trends and schedule inspections using data analytics. This approach helps the Authority concentrate on areas of higher safety concern while maintaining regulatory supervision across all sectors. Furthermore, the system records every regulatory decision, update and correspondence with precise timestamps, creating a transparent audit trail that supports accountability and improves the quality of safety data available to the government and the industry.
The EMPIC software system also modernises organisational approvals, including AOC and AMO certification. Processing of applications will occur through electronic workflows that track document submission, queries, corrective actions and final decisions. Operators will be able to follow the progress of their applications in real time, which reduces delays and improves communication between the Authority and the regulated community. Therefore, the system becomes a central tool not only for compliance but also for efficient industry support.
Engr. Godwin stressed that full authorisation of the EMPIC system is expected in 2026, provided all directorates comply with the prescribed digital processes. He encouraged industry stakeholders to embrace the transition because it places Nigeria on a stronger footing for ICAO audits and strengthens Nigeria’s reputation as a state committed to modern safety oversight.
In conclusion, the rollout of the EMPIC system reflects the NCAA’s ongoing push for digital transformation aimed at easing regulation and improving service delivery. The shift to technology-driven oversight strengthens transparency, reduces delays and positions Nigeria’s aviation sector closer to global best practice.
