January 23, (THEWILL) – As at 2019, the number of unemployed pilots was estimated to be well over 500, according to the former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Abdullahi Mohammed.
The figure of these trained, but yet to be employed pilots seems to be increasing on a daily basis, particularly at the local aviation industry level.
A major concern is that many of these professionals and even aircraft engineers are still roaming the streets without jobs after spending huge resources to get trained. At NCAT, for instance, the average cost of training a pilot is about $50,000; However, fees paid by foreign and local students differ as the cost for the latter is highly subsidised. Even after spending so much on training, jobs are usually out of the reach of the freshly graduated pilot, if he is not favoured with the type-rating system.
A type rating is an authorisation entered on or associated with a pilot’s licence and forming part thereof, stating his privileges or limitations pertaining to certain aircraft types. Such qualification requires additional training beyond the scope of the initial license and aircraft class training.
However, experts have noted that the issue is not only about type-rating, but the experience. For instance, even when some newly trained pilots come back from America, they still don’t get jobs because they have not gathered the necessary hours. Different airlines have different requirements. Most of the airlines require a certain minimum of hours for insurance purposes before you can fly their aircraft.
National Carrier/Flag Carrier To The Rescue
Aviation experts believe that one way to solve pilot unemployment is to invest massively in airline businesses, either in the form of a national carrier or flag carrier.
A national carrier means any aircraft operated by or on behalf of the government, while flag carrier is an airline that, being locally registered in a given sovereign state, enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for international operations. By investing in any type of carrier, analysts believe that massive jobs will be created for both the pilots, aircraft engineers, Air Traffic Controllers and even the air hosts and hostesses.
Raising the hope of a national carrier, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, a few months ago vowed that by April 2022, Nigeria would be gifted with a new national carrier.
Sirika had said that the new airline would have 51 per cent of its equity shares owned by the Federal Government and the people, with foreign partners having the remaining 49 per cent.
He reiterated that the Federal Government would not have more than 5 per cent stake in the new national carrier, while it emphasised that no fewer than 70,000 jobs would be generated with the birth of the airline.
Reacting to the Minister’s promise, President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr Gbenga Olowo said he is not worried about the time of entry or exit of any carrier, adding that his earnest desire is to see the emergence of strong, efficient, globally competitive Nigerian flag carriers.
Dr Olowo noted that the weight thrown by the Federal Government on Air Peace/Emirates commercial negotiations in UAE disagreement is a confirmation that Nigeria already endorsed that flag carrier by throwing its weight behind them.
“I am trusting that the same steam will be deployed to sanitise all the routes which post negative trade balance to Nigeria viv-a-vis Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) till date. No thanks to corruption.
“Government should give its full hug to all destinations served by all countries, hitherto in preparation for an additional or two more Nigerian flag carriers,” Olowo said.
In the same vein, the Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Capt Alkali Modibbo, advised that the only way to get jobs as a pilot or an engineer is to get more aviation industriallisation by having more airlines and ATOs.
Call For Pilots’ Diversification
According to Capt Modibbo, pilots should not insist on flying alone, but they can also work in the agencies and the ministry as a pilot or an engineer.
“The only way to get jobs as a pilot or an engineer is to get more aviation industriallisation by having more airlines and working in the agencies and the ministry as a pilot or an engineer. It is not necessary that you must fly or repair an airplane. You can work in any of the agencies as a pilot.
“If you look at Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), is a pilot. The immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, was a pilot and the same applies to Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Organisation (NCAA). Also, the current Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, Engr. Akin Olateru, is a pilot, just like many others.
“So, there are jobs out there. Pilots and engineers should not limit themselves to only flying or repairing aircraft. The aim of every pilot is to fly, but when jobs don’t come, you can work in any of the agencies or the Ministry of Aviation. We look forward to the Federal Government opening more opportunities to aviators,” he said.
Role of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) boasts more than 50 years of experience in providing human resource development in the aviation industry in Africa and it is well on its way to becoming a reputable global provider of aviation training.
Since its inception, NCAT has produced well over 20,000 professionals for the Aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond.
About three years ago, NCAT was upgraded into a Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE), while NCAA endorsed it as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) recently.
Speaking on the advantages of NCAT’s international status, the Rector said “This is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) and we have been having renewals yearly and the Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE) is a certification by the International Civil Aviation Oragnisation (ICAO). The benefit of this certification is that we can increase training activities like the ICAO training courses and conventional courses in the College. In 2021, we had over 50 courses conducted in this College in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are still doing those courses.
“So, they become employable these pilots need to build up these hours. This is where General Aviation comes in, because they don’t have these requirements. We encourage the young pilots to go into General Aviation. That is the practice worldwide. If they are able to build more hours, that will make them marketable and employable.
“This is why we are here. We keep bringing in younger personnel and it is a continuous process. We keep bringing in younger ones to replace those who are retiring and when you retire, but not tired, we still take you on contract to impact your knowledge and the experience you have on the new generation of instructors,” Capt Modibbo added.
Last Line
Depite the level of manpower development strategy adopted for aviation in Nigeria, there is a need for massive investments in indigenous airline companies, where new pilots can start and build their careers. This can come in the form of a national carrier or flag carrier.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
