Contrary to speculations that the planned establishment of Nigerian Aviation Univeristy will consume the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, the Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Serika has cleared the air, saying whereas the aviation university will be structured to promote research, development and production of high level manpower, NCAT will continue to train pilots.
On why NCAT will continue to run side by side with the Aviation Versity, the Minister recalled that “it was the UNDP that partnered with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Nigerian government to produce this institution”.
“And it is one of its kind, so why are going to reduce its capacity and capability?. Our own task is to improve, enhance and upgrade the capacity and ability of the college to do more.
Explaining the development during a working tour of facilities at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, he said “The aviation university will be different from NCAT; the university will be fully into research and development and production of higher level management manpower need of the industry”.
“The university will go into deep research, with the hope that in the near future, we will be able to manufacture aircraft components, until when we are able to produce the aircraft itself.
“Since the technology is available around the world, is no longer a hindrance, it is our own ability and capability to pursue it,” he noted.
He argued further that if nations like Brazil and India, who produce aircraft can do that via specialized universities, Nigeria can do evn better.
Serika added that “The technology is known, we are not reinventing it, we just put our act together in doing it. So, the university will cater for that, while NCAT will continue to provide the services in the institute”.
