NCAT, South Sudan Forge Partnership to Boost Aviation Capacity Development
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening aviation capacity in South Sudan, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA).
The agreement follows a high-level visit to the college by a delegation of South Sudanese aviation officials, led by the Director General of the SSCAA, Hon. John Woja Eliana.
The delegation was warmly received by the Rector and Chief Executive of NCAT, Dr Danjuma A. Ismaila, who conducted the visitors on a comprehensive tour of the college’s facilities.
The tour showcased NCAT’s cutting-edge infrastructure, its extensive training programmes, and the expertise of its instructional staff—all of which left a strong impression on the South Sudanese team.
The visit was in line with a directive from the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who has prioritised the development of human capacity in the country’s civil aviation sector.
The objective is to provide technical and managerial training opportunities for South Sudanese aviation professionals through collaboration with NCAT.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Ismaila commended the South Sudanese government for its interest in NCAT’s internationally accredited training programmes, which have earned the college the prestigious Regional Training Centre of Excellence designation with Platinum Status by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“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,” Dr Ismaila stated.
The SSCAA officials were presented with NCAT’s detailed course offerings and training schedules, especially in areas that directly address South Sudan’s identified gaps in human resource development within the aviation sector.
The visitors expressed keen satisfaction with the scope and quality of the college’s academic and technical offerings, indicating their readiness to begin both long-term and short-term training engagements.
While most of the training is expected to take place in Zaria, the South Sudanese delegation requested that certain specialised programmes be delivered in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan, to accommodate a broader range of personnel.
The visit concluded with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NCAT and the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority.
The MoU outlines the terms for collaborative training, knowledge exchange, and technical assistance, paving the way for immediate implementation of joint programmes aimed at advancing the civil aviation industry in South Sudan.
The partnership underscores NCAT’s growing reputation as a hub for aviation excellence in Africa and highlights Nigeria’s pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation in air transport development.
