David Olubadewo, a renowned aviation expert and CEO of Starburst Aviation in the UK, has strongly advised Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, against the proposed plan to decentralise the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria.
Olubadewo, speaking with journalists in Lagos, praised NCAT for its achievements, especially its status as an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Regional Centre of Excellence, and described the institution as one of Africa’s best aviation training centres. He expressed concern that splitting NCAT would undermine its unique qualities and disrupt its established position as a top institution in Africa.
He spoke about the importance of preserving NCAT as a unified entity that has grown into a model for aviation education. According to him, decentralising NCAT would be a mistake, noting that the current structure allows the school to stand out as a key hub for aviation training in the region.
Rather than dividing the college, Olubadewo proposed upgrading NCAT to a full-fledged university, similar to the well-known Embry-Riddle University in the United States, or affiliating it with prestigious American universities specialising in aviation.
He believes this would solidify its role as a leading institution in aviation education.
Given Nigeria’s large population and the limited number of aviation schools, Olubadewo suggested the establishment of four additional aviation schools in various parts of the country.
These schools would be strategically placed in the South-East, South-West, North-Central, and North-East regions, making aviation education more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, irrespective of their financial status.
Olubadewo, who has firsthand experience as a former pilot instructor at NCAT, further urged the government to support the school and turn it into a globally recognised institution.
He pointed out that expanding aviation training opportunities would benefit young Nigerians who may not have the financial means to study abroad.
In his view, the decentralisation of NCAT would only create unnecessary costs, which future ministers could later reverse, wasting valuable resources.
He also suggested that the government should focus on training aviation personnel locally and develop a system where aspiring pilots, engineers, and other professionals could affordably pursue their careers.
While acknowledging the role of the International Aviation College (IAC) in Ilorin as a complementary institution, Olubadewo recommended that the federal government partner with IAC to expand its capacity, thus strengthening the country’s aviation education system.
The debate over the decentralisation of NCAT was sparked by President Bola Tinubu’s announcement in December 2024 to split the college into six campuses.
Olubadewo remains steadfast in his belief that such a move would diminish the quality and effectiveness of aviation training in Nigeria. Instead, he advocates for creating more schools and programmes to provide all Nigerians greater access to aviation education.
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