This marks the first time since 2015 that such training will take place within the country. For almost a decade, over 600 FAAN firefighters remained untrained.
BY ANTHONY OMOH
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has made a decisive move to improve emergency readiness nationwide. FAAN resumes firefighter training after a nine-year delay. The simulator sessions are now hosted at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
This marks the first time since 2015 that such training will take place within the country. For almost a decade, over 600 FAAN firefighters remained untrained. This gap raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s ability to respond to aviation emergencies efficiently.
Previously, training was held abroad at the ASECNA facility in Douala, Cameroon. However, in 2015, that arrangement was discontinued due to diplomatic issues and high costs. As a result, the Nigerian aviation sector faced a prolonged period of unfulfilled training needs.
In an effort to close this gap, former Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, acquired a Multipurpose Aircraft Fire Simulator. This simulator, stationed at NCAT, had the capability to deliver a broader range of fire response scenarios. Yet, despite the hefty investment, the equipment remained unused for several years.
However, the tide began to turn recently. The Nigerian Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA) pushed for action. The group petitioned the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), to ensure the simulator was put to work.
By May 2024, discussions had advanced significantly. Managing Director and Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, invited NCAT leadership to Lagos. Talks focused on launching training operations immediately. The goal was clear—eradicate the backlog and restore training cycles.
“This is not just about compliance,” a senior FAAN emergency official told NigerianFLIGHTDECK. “It’s about safety at our airports. You can’t have over 600 untrained personnel and expect optimal response to aircraft fire emergencies.”
The outcome is now visible. FAAN has begun phased deployment of firefighters to NCAT for simulator training. Two batches have already completed the programme. This structured initiative is the first serious step in nearly ten years to reverse the agency’s training decline.
Currently, the deployed firefighters are undergoing the Firefighters Crew Commanders Course and Supervisors Course at the NCAT facility. These advanced programmes are tailored to equip emergency personnel with leadership and tactical response skills essential during airport fire incidents.
The training sessions will continue throughout 2025. They are expected to involve fire chiefs, airport emergency trainers, and frontline personnel. Each phase is designed to bring Nigeria closer to ICAO standards.
Stakeholders across the industry have welcomed the revival. They emphasise that it boosts both operational capability and the use of previously dormant national resources.
By restarting local simulator training, FAAN resumes firefighter training in a way that strengthens both local capacity and compliance with international aviation safety frameworks.
