Critical aviation stakeholders have lauded the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for its sustained investment in manpower development through strategic training initiatives, particularly its sponsorship of the 2025 League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) training programme.
The ongoing 5-day capacity-building course, tagged LAAC-13, is being held at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and is designed to equip aviation journalists with the latest industry knowledge across five tiers which is Basic, Advanced, Management, Senior Management, and Refresher courses.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, the Rector and CEO of NCAT, Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismaila, commended the NCAA for its unwavering support to media training, noting that the initiative would significantly enhance the quality of aviation reporting in Nigeria.
“This kind of investment in the press corps not only improves reportage but also strengthens the entire aviation ecosystem,” Ismaila noted, describing the NCAA’s role as “a critical catalyst for sustainable industry growth.”
The Chairman of LAAC, Mr. Idris Suleiman, also praised the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, for ensuring that this year’s training returned to NCAT.
He acknowledged the growing partnership between aviation authorities and the media, stressing the importance of knowledge-driven journalism in navigating the sector’s evolving challenges.
“We are particularly grateful to NCAA and other stakeholders who have made this a consistent success.
This forum provides an essential platform to sharpen journalistic skills, reinforce ethics, and track global aviation trends,” Suleiman stated.
He further appreciated agencies including FAAN, NAMA, NiMet, and NSIB, as well as the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), for their enduring commitment to LAAC’s mission.
Suleiman highlighted the complexities reshaping global aviation from fluctuating passenger demand and aircraft order cancellations to regulatory policy shifts.
He underscored the need for continuous training to keep professionals, especially journalists, abreast of emerging developments.
Despite local challenges such as high operating costs and infrastructural constraints, he noted that NCAA had issued multiple new Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) in the past year, demonstrating resilience in the sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s airport concession drive also signals renewed investment interest in the sector. We must continue to build human capacity to match these policy directions,” Suleiman concluded, calling on all stakeholders to deepen their commitment to aviation development.
The LAAC training, now in its 13th edition, remains the most comprehensive media development programme in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
