President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to decentralize the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, into six campuses across the country is being described as one of the boldest reforms in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
For more than 50 years, NCAT operated solely from Zaria in Kaduna State, serving as the nation’s premier aviation training institution for pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and cabin crew. The concentration in one location often limited access, with many aspiring professionals forced to travel long distances at great cost.
That era is now over. The federal government has approved new NCAT campuses in Akure (Ondo), Osubi (Delta), Ebonyi, Ilorin (Kwara), and Yola (Adamawa), while Zaria will remain the headquarters. Each centre is expected to cater to its geo-political zone, expanding access to aviation training across Nigeria.
In Akure, residents say the development will boost the local economy and place the city firmly on Nigeria’s aviation map. Osubi is projected to benefit from the revival of its once-active airport, while Ebonyi’s newly built international airport will gain credibility with the presence of NCAT. Ilorin, known for its strong academic environment, is expected to strengthen its status as an educational hub, and in Yola, the project is being celebrated as a rare federal investment in the Northeast.
However, some experts are cautious. Captain David Olubadewo, an aviation analyst, warned that splitting NCAT into multiple locations could dilute its status as an ICAO Regional Centre of Excellence unless resources are carefully managed.
The federal government has already allocated ₦3.68 billion in the 2025 budget for the initiative. Officials insist the annexes will operate under strict supervision from Zaria, with standardized curricula and specialized training programs tailored to regional needs.
Civil society groups have also welcomed the move. The Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiatives (CSCHEI) described the reform as a “democratization of the skies,” saying it aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on inclusivity and education.
For aspiring aviators like 17-year-old Abdulrahman from Yola, the reform is life-changing. “Before now, my parents could not afford to send me to Zaria,” he said. “Now I can train close to home.”
Analysts predict significant economic benefits around the campuses, including new hotels, restaurants, and small businesses. For towns like Osubi and Yola, this could bring long-awaited growth.
While debates continue on its sustainability, the decentralization of NCAT is already being seen as more than an aviation policy—it is a test of equity, inclusion, and national balance. If successful, the reform could permanently reshape Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
