In a landmark move to strengthen bilateral cooperation in aviation training, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) to support the development of human capacity in South Sudan’s aviation sector.
The agreement was formalised during the visit of the Director General of the SSCAA, Hon. John Woja Eliana, who led a delegation of South Sudanese aviation officials to NCAT.
The visit, which was at the directive of South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, aimed at establishing a training partnership with NCAT to build technical and managerial competencies essential for the growth of the country’s civil aviation sector.
Receiving the delegation, the Rector and Chief Executive Officer of NCAT, Dr. Danjuma A. Ismaila, expressed gratitude for the interest shown in the college’s training programs.
He emphasised NCAT’s readiness to provide both long-term and short-term training tailored to South Sudan’s aviation needs.
Dr. Ismaila assured the visitors that NCAT’s my ICAO-certified and platinum-rated Regional Training Centre of Excellence will equip South Sudanese aviation personnel with the skills and expertise required to enhance air connectivity and support national development goals, including tourism.
“Our training will offer them the competency required to launch their civil aviation sector for connectivity and expertise that support the country’s potential in tourism development,” the Rector stated.
The South Sudanese delegation toured NCAT’s state-of-the-art facilities, reviewed its curriculum, and held discussions with the college’s seasoned instructional staff.
They expressed satisfaction with what they described as comprehensive and globally relevant training resources.
While expressing eagerness to commence the partnership, the SSCAA requested that certain specialized training programs be conducted in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to further support their local training needs.
The signing of the MoU marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at addressing the human resource gaps in South Sudan’s aviation sector and underscores NCAT’s growing role as a regional aviation training hub in Africa.
