NCAA to Digitize Aviation Licensing by July 2026

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced a shift from a manual, paper-based licensing process to a fully digital platform for pilots and aviation staff, effective July 2, 2026. Capt.

Chris Najomo, the Director General of NCAA, described this initiative as a major milestone in ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing Nigeria's aviation sector. The digital transformation is expected to eliminate long delays in the licensing process, which can currently take weeks or months.

The new system will allow applicants to track their application status in real-time and will incorporate biometric verification and QR code-based licenses. Godwin Balang, Director of Airworthiness Standards, emphasized that the move to digital is essential for regulatory oversight and compliance in a rapidly evolving global aviation industry.

The first phase of this initiative will also include digitizing medical certification processes, with subsequent phases planned to cover air operator certification and other regulatory processes.