Shortage of Technical Personnel in Aviation Industry

The Nigerian aviation industry is grappling with a significant shortage of technical personnel, prompting the federal government to recall retired experts on contract to address critical operational gaps. Factors contributing to the shortage include the massive retirement of experienced personnel, for whom suitable replacements are scarce, and the inability of local aviation training schools to keep up with demand due to insufficient infrastructure.

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria recently highlighted critical shortages of functional aircraft, with only six aircraft airworthy at times, forcing the school to ration training hours for student pilots. Industry analyst and second Vice President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr. Alex Nwuba, stated that Nigeria will never fill its aviation job gap.

He cited projections from major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, which anticipate a global demand for 674,000 new pilots over the next twenty years, along with hundreds of thousands of technicians and cabin crew. However, Nwuba argued that Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million, should be a natural supplier for this demand but instead faces a broken workforce pipeline at both ends.

Nwuba explained that neither the trained individuals nor those in need of training can find employment in the country or abroad, citing the exorbitant cost of training licenses, which can exceed N20 million in Nigeria. This cost is prohibitive for most families, turning aviation into an elite club for the wealthy. In contrast, the United States allows aspiring pilots and aircraft engineers to enter through more accessible means, such as general aviation and flying clubs, despite also facing a shortage.

Nwuba also pointed out that Nigerian airlines, which should provide entry-level training and experience to newly qualified pilots, are rejecting them. This is partly because airlines have previously trained these pilots and helped them accumulate the required flying hours to secure positions abroad, only for them to leave. Additionally, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been inconsistent in enforcing bonding agreements, which require pilots to work for an airline for a specified period after training.

This lack of enforcement has prevented young pilots from developing their skills further and becoming captains.

To address the issue, Dr. Nwuba recommended reviving aviation training schools, establishing structured time-building systems similar to those in the US and Europe, and opening entry-level positions such as observer seats, cabin crew, and dispatch jobs for pilots and crew who have already paid for their training but lack opportunities to use it.

He also emphasized the need for a special, regulated training wage to allow individuals to build hours without financial setbacks. However, Akin Olateru, CEO of Omni-Blu Aviation Limited and former CEO of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), noted that aviation training remains expensive in Nigeria, with the federal government no longer providing scholarships.

Despite his own experience benefiting from a federal scholarship, Olateru stresses the importance of supporting the next generation of aviation professionals through scholarships and mentorship.