BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
An aviation expert and Chief Executive Officer of Starburst Aviation, United Kingdom, Captain David Olubadewo, has strongly advised Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, against decentralising the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, as the idea was wrong-headed.
Speaking to journalist in Lagos, Captain Olubadewo highlighted NCAT’s revered status as an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Regional Centre of Excellence and its position as a leading aviation training institution on the continent, noting that balkanising it was a bad move.
He stated; “NCAT, as it is, is wonderful. It’s one of the best in Africa, if not the best. Location-wise, everything about it is unique. It’s a centre of excellence.
Therefore, decentralisation is ill-advised.” Drawing from his international observations of aviation training institutions, he affirmed NCAT’s unique and significant value, adding, “Having observed aviation training institutions internationally, I can attest to NCAT’s unique and highly valuable attributes. Some people may not be able to say what I’m saying.”
Instead of splitting the institution, Captain Olubadewo proposed that the federal government should elevate NCAT to the status of a full-fledged university, similar to Embry-Riddle University, or establish an affiliation with prominent American universities specializing in aviation.
He believes this strategic move would further solidify NCAT’s standing as a regional center of excellence.
Highlighting the disparity between Nigeria’s large population and the limited number of aviation training schools, Captain Olubadewo suggested a more impactful approach: establishing four new aviation schools across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones – South-East, South-West, North-Central, and North-East.
This, he argued, would democratize access to aviation education for individuals from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic strata.
“For me, I don’t believe the right thing is to split NCAT, even being a former pilot instructor in NCAT Zaria; at least I have worked there, and I know what the school is all about, and I would plead with him that it is a centre of excellence on its own. It should be supported and upgraded to a proper university. Under his watch, it will be a fantastic legacy for him and Mr. President,” he asserted.
He further elaborated on the need to expand training opportunities: “Create four schools around the country; let’s have as many air traffic controllers as possible, more pilots and more engineers, even meteorologists because meteorology is part of aviation; not all of us can go abroad to study.”
Captain Olubadewo poignantly addressed the issue of accessibility for aspiring aviators from less privileged backgrounds:
“How is a poor boy who sees aircraft flying and says I want to be a pilot, achieve his dream to fly and acquire education? Remember how my father got into aviation through the ECWA missionaries? My father never had the money to train himself.
He didn’t come from a wealthy family, and we should be able to change things for everybody to achieve their dream, a legacy I believe the Aviation Minister and Mr. President can achieve.
” He passionately argued against socioeconomic barriers in aviation: “In Nigeria we should not be limiting people’s children or the future of their children because they are poor. No. We already have a class distinction in Nigeria and we shouldn’t be promoting that in aviation. We shouldn’t.”
He further emphasized the potential for social mobility: “If my father can be an aeronautical engineer, why can’t anybody aspire to be a pilot? Why should money be the problem to deter them? We should be able to change things around.”
Expressing concerns about the practicality and long-term viability of decentralizing NCAT, Captain Olubadewo warned about potential reversals and wasted resources:
“It makes no sense; it’s just a waste of money. And I can guarantee you, in the next 10 years, one minister is going to come back and say, everybody, go back together.”
He also advocated for leveraging NCAT’s capabilities by encouraging government aviation and related agencies to prioritize local training over sending personnel abroad and stressed the importance of ensuring opportunities for aspiring pilots and engineers regardless of their financial standing.
Acknowledging the International Aviation College (IAC) in Ilorin as the sole institution complementing NCAT, he urged the federal government to collaborate with IAC to enhance its capacity.
President Bola Tinubu’s December 2024 announcement regarding the division of NCAT into six campuses has ignited considerable debate.
Captain Olubadewo cautions that such a move risks diminishing NCAT’s established excellence and champions the creation of new aviation schools and expanded programs as a more enduring and impactful legacy for the nation.
