There is Foreign Exchange boost for the federal government as foreign students now throng the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State for training
This was disclosed by the rector of the College, Dr Danjuma Ismaila, over the weekend, in an interview with LEADERSHIP at the just concluded 2025 training for Aviation journalists, held in Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to him, students from Egypt, Asia, other French speaking countries among others now come to the school for aviation training.
He, however, complained about funding and infrastructure challenges which he said has limited the prospect of the foremost aviation training college.
“We have opportunities to serve every part of the world. For instance, training on ATPL certificate whether you obtain it here or there, it is the same thing that is certified by the UK CAA.
Our CAA is being certified by the NCAA which is equally International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) certified.
“We have opportunities to have participants from all over the world because some of the courses we run which are in collaboration with ICAO. We generate a lot of foreign exchange into the country and we have the potential to generate more to the nation.
“By the time our flight simulators start operation, we will expect more participation from Asian countries. Right now, both Nigerian pilots and Asian pilots are queuing in Dubai waiting for the period to go and attend the flight simulator training. We have it here and will soon start operating it here.
“By then, people will be queuing on our own side because it is scarce globally and this will fetch us a lot of foreign exchange,” the Rector stated.
Dr Ismaila continued, “Right now, we are expecting some Egyptians. They are pleading with us to come and organize a programme for them on June 16. One of our instrument rating wanted to have a training on that. They are controllers from Egypt and wanted to learn. Some two months back, we trained some French speaking countries who wanted to learn aviation English only that we don’t have the right infrastructure that will attract them.”
The Rector, however, stated that right infrastructure will attract foreigners to the institutions because the institution charges are affordable compared to its comptemporaries across the world.
“When we put the right infrastructure in place, we can attract these foreigners because our own charges are affordable by most of these countries when you compare it with other parts of the world. I think previous management of the college did not give that the attention it requires or they were not so aggressive in terms of looking for developing critical infrastructure.
“For me and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, we are working day and night to see how we can reposition this college. This is a simple challenge; it is not technical. It is just issue of accommodation, limiting us for our intake. Like I said, there are some infrastructure that are of critical need and these are infrastructure that will facilitate us to position the college.
“One of these is befitting accommodation. Most of the accommodation are in shambles or incorrect shape but we can easily renovate them or upgrade them to the standard that we want to be. Another one is to have classrooms and also have facilities, especially technical facilities for the different type of courses.
“Many courses that are being required by aviation professionals globally and locally; we need all of these facilities in place. Some of these facilities also need continued upgraded. Even if you own the facility, it is not the end of it, we need to continue to upgrade the system, cultivate new developments and new areas and that is why we need a lot of investments.
“We need to make the facilities truly look international. Some of these buildings are as old as 1960s. We need to upgrade them to look modern. A student has a choice especially the one that is used to international arena. When he comes here, he will respect us,” the Rector stated.
