The Federal Government has once again proposed a significant financial commitment to decentralise the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), setting aside N2 billion in the 2026 appropriation bill currently before the National Assembly. This move comes despite sustained criticism from seasoned aviation professionals who argue that the plan risks diluting the quality of one of Africa's premier aviation training institutions.
Budgetary Push for Annexes Faces Expert Opposition
This is not the first time the government has budgeted for this initiative. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, under Minister Festus Keyamo, had previously planned N3.68 billion for the college's decentralisation in the 2025 budget. The latest allocation of N2 billion is intended for the establishment of NCAT annexes in five geo-political zones, specifically in Akure, Osubi, Ebonyi, Ilorin, and Yola.
However, this policy continues to be met with firm resistance. Aviation expert and CEO of Starburst Aviation in the UK, David Olubadewo, has publicly urged Minister Keyamo to reconsider. Olubadewo emphasised that NCAT has achieved the status of an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regional centre of excellence and remains one of the best aviation schools on the continent.
"NCAT, as it is currently, is a great institution. It is one of the best in Africa, if not the best. Location-wise, everything about it is unique," Olubadewo stated. He warned that the decentralisation plan is "ill-advised" and could water down the institution's unique and highly valuable attributes.
Concerns Over Training Synergy and Integrated Structure
Echoing these concerns, a former director in the Ministry of Aviation, Muhammad Bala Jibrin, appealed to the government to rescind its decision. Jibrin cautioned that breaking up the country's foremost aviation institution threatens the training synergy built over decades.
He explained that NCAT's strength lies in its six fully integrated schools: Flying, Air Traffic Control, Engineering, Aeronautical Communication, Aviation Management, and Emergency & Safety. These departments depend on each other to deliver quality, cohesive training. "For instance, all trainees for Air Traffic Control must first obtain at least a Private Pilot License. This enables controllers to understand a pilot’s limits in any phase of flight," Jibrin noted, illustrating the interconnected nature of the training.
Additional Aviation Projects in the 2026 Appropriation
The 2026 budget proposal also contains other significant allocations for the aviation sector. The ministry plans to develop the Osun airstrip at a cost of N1 billion and to upgrade Wi-Fi services for passengers in five international airports and some domestic terminals with N800 million. Furthermore, N1 billion is earmarked for power improvements using solar and gas turbines at five airports: Owerri, Benin, Osubi, Akure, and Calabar.
Separately, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has allocated N6.3 billion for three major projects in 2026:
- N3.5 billion for the expansion of the Jotron extended range high power standalone VHF radio over satellite network.
- N1.4 billion for a safe tower upgrade at four major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, and for the Lagos Voice Communication Control System (VCCS).
- Another N1.4 billion for the procurement, installation, and commissioning of a wide area multilateration surveillance system for low-flying helicopters in the Gulf of Guinea.
All these projects, including the controversial NCAT decentralisation, are marked as "ongoing" in the appropriation bill submitted to the National Assembly, indicating the government's determination to proceed despite expert objections.
