…trains youths near Lagos airport
In a determined push to address skills shortages and widen access to career opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation sector, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has concluded a two-day intensive empowerment programme for young people from communities surrounding Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos.
The initiative, known as the Aviation Upskilling Development Programme (AUDP), is part of a broader national directive aimed at youth empowerment across key industries.
It was held in Lagos as part of efforts to equip Nigerian youths with vital knowledge and practical skills required to participate in an industry critical to the country’s economic growth and regional integration.
Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony, NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by Dr. Anastasia Gbem, Director of Human Resources and Administration, described the programme as a concrete step towards building a future-ready workforce.
According to him, the project aligns with the National Youth Development Directive approved by the Federal Executive Council in February 2025, mandating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to develop structured youth empowerment programmes.
The AUDP, which began earlier in the week in Port Harcourt and is expected to be replicated across the country, targets various categories of young Nigerians, including graduates, post-secondary youths, and those out of school.
In Lagos, participants were drawn from the Mafoluku and Ejigbo communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.
While acknowledging that the programme is not an overnight solution, Capt. Najomo emphasized the importance of young Nigerians developing sector-specific knowledge, digital competence, and professional networks to navigate their way into aviation.
He reiterated NCAA’s commitment to offering clear information, guidance, and partnerships that will connect youths to opportunities in the sector.
“This initiative will provide high-quality training, practical skills, and career guidance that align with global standards and best practices,” Najomo stated.
He expressed confidence that such efforts would help address critical challenges in Nigeria’s aviation industry, including gender imbalances, talent shortages, and regional disparities.
The DGCA urged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity, noting that “aviation is open to you, but you must be ready to learn, to work, and to lead.”
Echoing similar sentiments, NCAA Regional Manager, Mrs. Olubukola Teriba, said the programme reflects the NCAA’s broader vision of building a globally competitive and inclusive aviation sector.
She noted that by equipping young Nigerians with technical skills, the industry can begin to fill gaps in its workforce while addressing unemployment.
“As the regulator, NCAA is not only a custodian of safety, security, and economic oversight but also duty-bound to ensure inclusivity, access to opportunities, and a sustainable future workforce for our industry,” Teriba said.
She praised the Federal Government’s vision and the support of community leaders in facilitating the programme.
Representing the host communities, Chief Samson Fatuyi, Asiwaju-Onikotun and Chief Bada of Emu Kingdom, encouraged the participants to fully embrace the opportunity, describing the programme as a viable pathway to personal and professional success.
The NCAA plans to extend the initiative to other regions including Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, empowering a total of 100 young Nigerians as part of the first phase.
