NCAA Flags Off Youth Aviation Programme, Picks 100

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially launched a nationwide initiative to empower young Nigerians through aviation-focused technical training.

At the flag-off ceremony held at the NCAA Annex in Lagos, Director General, Captain Chris Najomo announced that 100 youths had been selected for the programme.

The selected participants, drawn from airport communities in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Port Harcourt, will undergo training across various aviation disciplines.

According to Captain Najomo, the programme is designed to help participants understand and access real opportunities within the dynamic aviation sector.

He said the aviation skills empowerment programme represents a strategic intervention aimed at bridging talent gaps and expanding access for Nigerian youths.

“This is a modest but vital step,” Najomo explained. “We are here to help young Nigerians navigate their way into the aviation industry.”

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The programme, officially called the Aviation Upskilling Development Programme (AUDP), was approved in February 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It is part of the broader National Youth Development Directive, which mandates all Ministries and Agencies to implement youth-oriented capacity initiatives.

Following this directive, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development instructed aviation agencies to align with the national framework.

Najomo noted that the AUDP is not a one-off solution but a long-term initiative to build a sustainable and skilled aviation workforce in Nigeria.

He stressed the importance of digital and technical literacy for success in aviation, including tools like Microsoft Excel and safety reporting platforms.

“You must master Excel, GIS tools, and digital safety apps to thrive in aviation,” he told the selected participants during the ceremony.

He added that while NCAA would not overpromise, it remains committed to creating opportunities and removing access barriers for young Nigerians.

“Let this aviation skills empowerment programme be a bridge between your present and your aspirations,” Najomo urged the audience.

He listed key objectives of the programme, including job creation, skills development, global industry alignment and promotion of green aviation practices.

The AUDP will expose participants to industry regulations, international best practices and knowledge of renewable energy and environmental technologies.

It targets recent graduates, undergraduates, school leavers, career switchers, women, and aviation workers seeking further professional development.

In her remarks, Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Anastasia Gbem described the programme as a timely response to sector challenges.

She identified challenges such as workforce shortages, uneven regional representation, and gender gaps within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Dr. Gbem said, “The AUDP is designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and guidance to excel in the aviation industry.”

She noted that the programme aligns with national goals of job creation, unemployment reduction and increased international aviation competitiveness.

According to her, the NCAA is focused on nurturing a new generation of professionals who will drive sector growth and innovation.

She praised the support of the Federal Government and the Ministry for recognising aviation as a platform for national youth development.

In her closing remarks, NCAA Regional Manager, Southwest, Mrs. Olubukola Aduragbemi Teriba expressed pride in hosting the empowerment programme.

She said the initiative aligns with NCAA’s broader vision of building a globally competitive and inclusive aviation sector in Nigeria.

According to her, the programme prepares Nigerian youths to fill technical roles, reduce unemployment, and enhance the nation’s international reputation.

“As a regulator, NCAA is not only focused on safety and oversight, but also on ensuring equitable access and a sustainable industry workforce,” she said.

Teriba added that the programme directly addresses the challenge of preparing skilled aviation professionals to meet future sector demands.

She concluded that the initiative fills a critical gap by equipping Nigerian youths with the training to pursue roles in aviation confidently.

With the aviation skills empowerment programme, the NCAA aims to build a workforce that is capable, inclusive, and ready for global aviation standards.

As the programme unfolds, participants will gain hands-on knowledge, mentorship, and exposure to the technical core of Nigeria’s growing aviation industry.