By Dickson Omobola

Chief Executive Officer of Starburst Aviation, UK, David Olubadewo, has urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, to jettison plans to decentralise the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria.

Olubadewo said rather than decentralise NCAT, the Federal Government should elevate it to a full-fledged university, akin to Embry-Riddle University in the United States of America, or affiliate it with top American universities specialising in aviation.

He also expressed worries over the costs and sustainability of splitting NCAT, saying future ministers might reverse the decision if they required huge finances to run them.

According to thim, NCAT has achieved the status of an International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Regional Centre of Excellence and remained one of the best aviation schools in Africa.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, he said: “NCAT, as it is, is wonderful. It is one of the best in Africa, if not the best. Location-wise, everything about it is unique. It is a centre of excellence. Therefore, decentralisation is ill-advised. Having observed aviation training institutions internationally, I can attest to NCAT’s unique and highly valuable attributes.

“For me, I don’t believe the right thing is to split NCAT, even being a former pilot instructor in NCAT Zaria; at least I have worked there, and I know what the school is all about, and I would plead with him that it is a centre of excellence on its own. It should be supported and upgraded to a proper university. Under his watch, it will be a fantastic legacy for him and Mr President.

“It makes no sense; it’s just a waste of money. And I can guarantee you, in the next 10 years, one minister is going to come back and say, everybody, go back together.”

Olubadewo, however, proposed establishing four new aviation schools in the South-East, South-West, North-Central and the North-East to make aviation education accessible to everyone regardless of financial constraints.

He said: “Create four schools around the country. Let us have as many air traffic controllers as possible, more pilots and more engineers, even meteorologists because meteorology is part of aviation; and it is not everyone that can afford to study abroad.”