The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology has secured the 2026 Certificate of Accreditation from the Aviation Accreditation Board International, valid from 19th February 2026 to 28th February 2031.

Dr Jude Amadi, Director of Public Affairs at the College, stated in a statement that the accreditation covers major programmes, including Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology (Airframe and Powerplant), Avionics, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Aviation Management.

The achievement strengthens the resolve of the Rector and Chief Executive, Dr Danjuma A. Ismaila, to sustain high standards and continue advancing NCAT’s growth in line with global best practices, according to Amadi.

During a facility tour of the school, Dr Ismaila revealed that his administration is working with an international partner, the European Aviation Licensing Authority, to determine whether graduate pilots can earn a European Union Aviation Safety Agency certificate.

He explained that NCAT students currently receive the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority certificate upon graduation, which limits their recognition to Nigerian airlines and a few other African carriers.

"Once we affiliate with an EASA certified Approved Training Organisation in Europe and meet their requirements, our graduates will leave here with two certifications and two licences: the EASA certificate and the NCAA certificate. That would open the door to employment in Europe, where there are far more opportunities. For instance, we were informed last November that Ryanair was actively recruiting pilots from Nigeria and other English speaking countries, with an EASA licence as the primary requirement," the Rector stated.

He noted that earning an EASA certificate, the European standard, greatly improves graduates' job prospects in Europe.

NCAT in Zaria is a premium aviation training institution, one of the earliest of such organisations in Africa, established in 1964 and charged with the responsibility of training Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Aeronautical Telecommunications Engineers, Cabin Crew, Flight Dispatchers and several other aviation professionals.

NCAT operates as a comprehensive Approved Training Organisation with six training schools uniquely co located, including the Flying School and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School.