A former Director in the Ministry of Aviation, Captain Muhammad Bala Jibrin, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rescind the decision on the balkanization of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria.
He also urged the president to cancel the approval for the new airstrip, and review the appointments to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure fairness and diversity.
Captain Jibrin said this in an open letter sent to President Tinubu, with copies made available to reporters in Bauchi.
He warned that decentralising the country’s foremost aviation institution into six regional centres is an ill-advised policy that threatens the training synergy at NCAT built over decades.
He explained that NCAT comprises six fully integrated schools—Flying, Air Traffic Control, Engineering, Aeronautical Communication, Aviation Management, and Emergency and Safety.
These departments depend on one another to deliver quality training.
“For instance, all trainees for Air Traffic Control must first obtain at least a Private Pilot License,” he stated.
“This enables controllers to understand a pilot’s limits in any phase of flight.”
Captain Jibrin said that the vital role of the Engineering School, it maintains aircraft used for pilot training, creating practical learning experiences for aviation mechanics.
“It is not enough to be taught theories or demonstrations by simulators.”
“Training happens when aircraft are opened for inspection, fault tracing and repairs.”
Captain Jibrin said that the Emergency and Safety School plays a pivotal role in preparing every aviation stakeholder. He said safety procedures cover airports, airlines, hangars, and even concessionaires.
“In aviation, safety is very important, “Every trainee must take lessons from this school, whether they are pilots, engineers, or cabin crew.”
Captain Jiibrin recalled his own firsthand experience at NCAT more than 40 years ago while serving during his NYSC.
He compared the school’s capabilities with those of the Florida Institute of Technology, where he earned degrees in flight and transport technology.
“The Piper Aztec-F aircraft used in Zaria is the exact model I used for multi-engine training in the USA,” he revealed.
“It was impressive to find such a high standard in Nigeria at that time.” He said that NCAT’s infrastructure—including radar simulators and fixed training consoles—was purpose-built and irreplaceable. These tools, he argued, cannot be copied or relocated without major disruption.
Captain Jibrin praised the fire-fighting simulator he encountered at NCAT two years ago, described it as world-class,because he had previously seen similar systems showcased at a global aviation expo in Hanover, Germany.
He said “The college is set to celebrate 60 years of continuous aviation training this year.”
Captain Jibrin in the open letter to President Tinubu said. “The Hon. Minister has the law school in his mind, whereas the two entities are not the same. Malaria cannot be treated with anti-acid.”
He rejected comparisons between NCAT and the Nigerian Law School, arguing that the nature of aviation education is different. Because aviation training is physical, technical, and deeply collaborative.
He also pointed to Zaria’s moderate weather, available land, and strategic location. These natural advantages allow for uninterrupted flight training, which is a major consideration in aviation instruction.
“The weather in Zaria is between the intense rains of the south and the harshness of the north,” he explained. “Conditions support flying nearly 300 days a year.”
This, he said, is the same reason most flight training schools in the United States are located in Florida.
Captain Jibrin warned that breaking up the school would damage the aviation training synergy at NCAT and urged President Tinubu to protect the institution’s legacy.
“Please rescind the decision and allow the college to remain where it is,” he appealed. “Let it celebrate its 60th birthday at home, whole and united.”
In the open letter to President Tinubu Captain Jibrin allegedly highlighted several infractions and breaches in the aviation sector under the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
He said the Minister’s actions have undermined the government and caused harm to the people
Captain Jibrin criticizes the Minister for granting approval for the establishment of a new airstrip at a church premises along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and warned that such can create a disaster in the waiting, given the proximity to existing airports and the overlap of airport traffic areas.
He expressed concern about the safety and security implications of having an airstrip in the hands of non-state actors, particularly with the current security challenges in the country.
Captain Jibrin raises alarm over the appointment of eleven directors of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), all of whom are from one faith.
He said that this breaches the principles of morality, sensibility, and sensitivity, and therefore contravenes the provisions of the Federal Character Commission Act.
Captain Jibrin questions the Minister’s actions, stating that the NCAA is the heart and soul of the aviation sector and that such appointments should be based on merit and diversity.
The aviation expert also mentions the list of 18 training coordinators, which comprises seventeen Christians and one Muslim, and notes that training of staff is a top priority in the NCAA’s annual budget.
He expresses disappointment that the Minister has not adhered to the principles of fairness and equity in his appointments. Captain Jibrin said he concludes by submitting his concerns to the President, hoping that he would take urgent action to address the issues.
