He indicated that there are a lot of opportunities that exist in the aviation industry but the youths will have to position themselves well to benefit from them and that is through skills acquisition.

Najomo, who was represented by the Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), NCAA, Engr Godwin Balang, recalled that in February 2025, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a national structure for youth empowerment across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. So, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in line with this directive, requested that all agencies under its purview align their youth-related efforts with this national framework.

NCAA Director General explained that the youths have been grouped into three categories, which include graduates of tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education); post-secondary, but non-tertiary educated (youths with some secondary education but who did not complete secondary or tertiary education) and school dropouts, which include out-of-school youths and youths at risk (youths who have not attained primary-level education or are out of school).

“Today’s remarks focuses on the first Category: graduates like you, equipped with academic credentials but often unsure of how to transition into meaningful work or skill-building opportunities. The Aviation Upskilling Development Programme is one response to this gap,” Najomo stated.

He further explained why young Nigerians should consider a career in aviation, saying that the aviation industry is one of the most dynamic and multidisciplinary sectors in the world, observing that it is not just about pilots and flight attendants and remarked that aviation is made up of highly technical roles, regulatory oversight, airport management, safety assurance, environmental compliance, logistics, information technology, engineering, law, finance, and much more.

He identified some of the job roles to include: air traffic services, which involves airspace planning, flight coordination, and communication. Another area is aeronautical engineering/ aircraft maintenance and airworthiness, which is the area that involves gaining expertise in aircraft design, maintenance, and innovative aerospace technologies in addition to inspections, repairs, and ensuring aircraft safety standards.

Other areas include flight operations and cabin crew training which role involves preparing professionals for seamless airline service, customer experience, and flight safety. There is also aviation security and safety, which entails monitoring compliance, managing risk, and supporting emergency preparedness.

There is regulatory affairs that involves oversight of licensing, certification, and compliance; drone technology, which is a growing segment requiring pilots, software engineers, and data analysts. Young Nigerians can leverage on the growing field of drone technology for surveillance, logistics, and emergency response.

Other areas include sustainable aviation and environmental management, airport operations and planning, meteorology, environment science and aviation sustainability, ICT and digital systems, and artificial intelligence and data analytics in aviation , which is utilising data-driven solutions to optimise air traffic management, customer experience, and operational efficiency.

“Every one of these areas needs people. Skilled people. Committed people. People like you,” the Director General said.

So, the objective of Aviation Upskilling Development Programme is to help young Nigerians understand aviation and develop attraction to the sector.

“The Aviation Upskilling Development Programme is not an overnight solution. It is a growing initiative aimed at helping young Nigerians, particularly graduates, understand and begin to navigate their way into aviation. In what you can do to get ready to benefit from this progamme; let me few suggestions.

“Start by learning about the aviation industry: its structure, its terminology, and the role of regulatory bodies like the NCAA, and other aviation parastatals like the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Free resources are obtainable from their official websites, including from ICAO and IATA materials are very helpful.

“Do not try to master everything. Choose one or two areas that interest you — such as airport operations, flight operations, aircraft design/maintenance, aviation safety, or drone operations — and begin building competence. From documentation systems to surveillance tools, aviation today runs on digital skills. Master tools like Microsoft Excel, basic GIS, safety reporting apps, or data visualization platforms,” the Director General advised.

He also advised the would be beneficiaries to reach out to professionals on LinkedIn. Join youth aviation groups. Attend webinars hosted by aviation training schools and authorities, just like the one you are in today and also to follow regulatory updates from NCAA, FAAN, and NAMA. Being aware of changes in aviation policy can help you align your skills and ambitions with real trends.

‘As an aviator myself who has flown for some 45 years both within and outside Nigeria, I will give a few words on character: aviation is not just technical; it is a sector where discipline, precision, accountability, and ethics are non-negotiable. These values will matter just as much as your qualifications. Build habits of integrity, punctuality, clear communication, and respect for rules. These qualities will distinguish you wherever you go in this industry,” Captain Najomo advised.

Businessday.ng