News Investigators/ The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has empowered youths from two communities around Lagos airport to gain aviation knowledge with the aim of tackling talent shortages and regional disparities, among other challenges.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, made the disclosure at the closing of the Aviation Up-Skilling Development Programme (AUDP) on Friday in Lagos.
Capt. Najomo was represented by the NCAA Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr Anastasia Gbem.
He said that the empowerment was part of the National Youth Development Directive.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, in February, the Federal Executive Council approved a national structure for youth empowerment across all its ministries, departments and agencies.
According to Capt. Najomo, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in line with the directive, has requested that all agencies under it align their youth-related efforts with the national framework.
The youths have been grouped into three categories: graduates of tertiary institutions; post-secondary but non-tertiary educated youths; and dropouts, out-of-school youths and youths at risk.
On the aim of the programme, Capt. Najomo said: “The AUDP is not an overnight solution but a growing initiative to help young Nigerians, particularly graduates, to understand and begin to navigate their ways into aviation.
“You may be asking, What can I do now to get ready or get in?
“Let me offer a few suggestions: Know the sector, pick a skill area, develop digital competence, network and stay informed.”
He said that NCAA remained committed to listening to the voices of young people, providing clear, useful information and guidance and connecting youths with knowledge that could lead to opportunities.
He emphasised the need for engaging partners to support skill-building initiatives.
“We will not over-promise but we will do our part, step-by-step, to open the space and carry young Nigerians forward into the aviation future.”
According to Capt. Najomo, the initiative will provide high-quality training, practical skills and career guidance that align with global standards and best practices.
He said that the initiative was a crucial step toward addressing challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector such as gender imbalance, talent shortages and regional disparities.
“I am confident that this initiative will contribute significantly to the growth and development of Nigeria’s aviation industry, creating job opportunities, reducing unemployment and enhancing our standing in the international aviation community.
“To every young person listening to me today, aviation is open to you but you must be ready to learn, work and lead. The journey may not be easy but it is worth it.
“Let the Aviation Upskilling Development Programme be a conversation starter. Let it be a bridge between where you are and where you want to go. We look forward to walking that bridge with you.”
According to Capt. Najomo, the AUDP kicked off in Port Harcourt earlier this week and would get replicated across the country.
According to him, the communities from where the young Nigerians were selected in Lagos State are Mafoluku and Ejigbo.
He listed Kano Regional Office, Kaduna Regional Office and Abuja Regional Office as other places where the AUDP would be conducted.
The NCAA boss told participants to study the structure and language of aviation and acquaint themselves with the roles of regulatory bodies such as NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
He recommended leveraging resources available on NCAA websites as well as global platforms.
The Regional Manager, South West, NCAA, Olubukola Teriba, said that the initiative was to align with the NCAA’s broader vision to build a suitable and globally-competitive aviation sector.
Mrs Teriba said that the initiative was coming at a crucial time for the industry to tackle unemployment and address the shortage of skilled professionals in the growing aviation sector.
“As the regulator, NCAA is not only a custodian of safety, security and economic oversight, but duty bound to ensure inclusivity, access to opportunities and a sustainable future workforce for our industry.
“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the challenges faced by Nigeria on how to create jobs for youths and skilled workers in the aviation sector.
“This initiative will fill in the gap to prepare young Nigerians by equipping them with technical knowledge which will prepare them to take up jobs available in the aviation industry,” she said.
NAN