By David Oladimeji
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the decentralization of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, into six campuses across the country, it was more than just another government directive. It was a bold structural experiment—one that could redefine how aviation is taught and who gets to dream of flying.
For over five decades, Zaria in Kaduna State stood as the singular home of NCAT, training pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and cabin crew. Aspiring aviators from every corner of Nigeria trekked to the Northwest to pursue their dreams. For many, the journey was expensive, the relocation difficult, and the opportunities limited.
Now, that monopoly is broken. The federal government has approved new NCAT campuses in Akure, Osubi, Ebonyi, Ilorin, and Yola, while Zaria remains the headquarters for the Northwest. Each centre will serve its zone, effectively bringing aviation training to the doorsteps of thousands.
In Akure, Ondo State, the news has already stirred excitement. Residents say the city—known for its educational institutions—will now be firmly placed on Nigeria’s aviation map. “We never thought we would see pilots training in Akure,” a jubilant shop owner near the airport said. “This will change the economy of this city.”
In the South-South, Osubi in Delta State is expected to benefit from renewed life at its once-bustling airport. Aviation analysts believe the presence of NCAT will attract airlines, technical partners, and even investors who had long abandoned the facility.
Over in Ebonyi, where the state government has invested heavily in the new international airport, the federal decision is seen as a vote of confidence. Locals believe it will spark a wave of infrastructural and business development across the Southeast.
The North Central city of Ilorin, already an educational hub with several universities, sees its inclusion as natural. Community leaders predict the aviation campus will reinforce the state’s growing reputation as a centre of learning, while opening doors for students who previously could not afford to train in Zaria.
Yola, in Adamawa State, carries its own symbolism. For a region often overlooked in federal projects, the choice of Yola is seen as a statement of inclusion. Local entrepreneurs say the aviation campus could inspire a new generation of Northeastern youth to pursue careers in aviation instead of drifting towards unemployment.
But amid the celebrations, there are skeptics. Aviation expert Captain David Olubadewo has warned that fragmenting NCAT could water down its prestige as an ICAO Regional Centre of Excellence. He fears that spreading resources across six locations may reduce training quality unless carefully managed.
Government officials, however, insist the move is strategic. A provision of ₦3.68 billion has already been made in the 2025 federal budget to fund the new annexes. Aviation ministry insiders say the plan includes uniform curricula, strict oversight from Zaria, and specialized training tailored to each region’s strengths.
Civil society groups have also weighed in. The Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiatives (CSCHEI) described the reform as “democratization of the skies,” arguing that it fits into Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals on education and inclusivity.
For young Nigerians like Abdulrahman, a 17-year-old from Yola who dreams of becoming a pilot, the announcement feels personal. “Before now, my parents could not afford to send me to Zaria,” he says with a smile. “Now I can train close to home.”
Economists predict ripple effects far beyond the classroom. New hotels, restaurants, and small businesses are expected to spring up around each campus, creating jobs and stimulating local economies. For towns like Osubi and Yola, this could mean a long-awaited revival.
Politically, the move has stirred a broader conversation. Tinubu, critics and supporters alike agree, may struggle in some policy areas, but his instinct for restructuring Nigeria’s institutional framework seems undeniable. Some commentators have even joked that “regional government is next.”
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the decentralization of NCAT is more than an aviation reform—it is a structural experiment in equity, inclusion, and national balance. If it succeeds, Tinubu’s name may forever be etched in the history of Nigeria’s skies.
