President Tinubu Approves Splitting of Nigerian College of Aviation, Zaria Into Six Campuses Across Geopolitical Zones
By Kelechi Ugo
Abuja, Nigeria – In a landmark decision aimed at decentralizing aviation training and expanding access to specialized education, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the restructuring of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State. The institution will now be split into six campuses, with each located in one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The newly approved campuses and their respective zones are:
- Akure, Ondo State – Southwest
- Osubi, Delta State – South-South
- Ebonyi State – Southeast
- Ilorin, Kwara State – North Central
- Yola, Adamawa State – North-East
- Zaria, Kaduna State – North-West (Original campus retained)
The restructuring is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader effort to promote equitable access to aviation training, enhance regional capacity building, and position Nigeria as a hub for aviation excellence in Africa.
Key Implications of the Move:
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Decentralization of Aviation Training: By creating regional campuses, aspiring aviation professionals across Nigeria will have improved access to high-quality training closer to home.
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Boost to Regional Economies: The presence of aviation campuses in different geopolitical zones is expected to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and attract investments in aviation-related infrastructure.
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National Integration: The initiative fosters national cohesion by ensuring all zones are equally represented in the development of critical sectors such as aviation.
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Capacity Building: This expansion will allow the NCAT to train a larger number of aviation professionals, including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and safety officers, addressing local and international demand.
Background:
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, established in 1964 and based in Zaria, Kaduna State, has long been the country’s premier aviation training institution. However, stakeholders have frequently called for decentralization to meet growing demands and to reduce regional disparities in access to technical education.
With this decision, President Tinubu’s administration reinforces its commitment to infrastructural development and human capital advancement across the federation.
