FAAN Unveils Youth-Focused Strategy to Tackle Aviation Skills Shortage and Inspire Future Workforce

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified efforts to address the widening skills gap in Nigeria’s aviation sector with the launch of a strategic initiative aimed at grooming young talents, particularly secondary school students, while promoting gender inclusion in technical professions.

The programme, driven by Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, General Manager of Training and Human Resource Development at FAAN, is in line with the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) framework of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is designed to cultivate early interest in aviation careers and build a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry.

At the heart of the initiative is a deliberate response to the shortage of skilled personnel in key aviation disciplines, including piloting, aeronautical engineering, aviation security, and airport firefighting.

Industry observers have long raised concerns over the limited number of qualified professionals, a challenge FAAN now seeks to confront through early engagement and awareness.

Speaking on the initiative, Akinlade stressed the importance of changing long-held perceptions that portray aviation as an overly technical and exclusive field. She noted that such views often deter young students, particularly girls, from exploring opportunities within the sector.

According to her, the programme is designed to open the minds of young people to the vast and exciting possibilities aviation offers. She highlighted that gender imbalance remains a pressing issue in professions such as piloting and engineering, where female representation is still relatively low.

In a bid to broaden perspectives, the initiative goes beyond conventional aviation roles to showcase a variety of career paths within the ecosystem. These include specialised fields such as aviation medicine and aviation law, reinforcing the message that the sector accommodates a wide range of academic disciplines.

The maiden edition of the programme brought together a diverse group of professionals and students in an engaging and interactive environment.

Experts, including female pilots, healthcare practitioners, and technical specialists from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), shared real-life experiences and career insights, offering students a first-hand understanding of the industry.

Students from institutions such as Chrisland Schools participated actively in the sessions, which were designed to combine education with inspiration.

One of the highlights of the programme was FAAN’s collaboration with Caverton Offshore Support Group, which introduced participants to the growing field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones.

The demonstration underscored the expanding role of drone technology in logistics, surveillance, and modern aviation operations.

Akinlade explained that the initiative also serves as a practical extension of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, helping students understand how theoretical classroom concepts are applied within the aviation industry.

Reflecting on the success of the pilot edition, she described the programme as both impactful and well-received, noting the enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by the students. However, she emphasised that continuity would be key to achieving long-term results.

Plans are already underway to expand the initiative, with FAAN aiming to host additional sessions later in the year and extend invitations to a wider range of schools across the country.

Also addressing participants, Mrs Obiageli Orah, Director of Special Duties at FAAN, encouraged students to consider aviation as a viable and rewarding career path.

She reiterated that the NGAP initiative is specifically designed to attract and guide young people into the sector at a critical stage in their academic journey.

Orah praised FAAN’s training school for successfully organising the programme and highlighted the importance of early exposure in shaping career choices.

With this initiative, FAAN is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to build a resilient and inclusive aviation workforce.

By reaching students before they make crucial educational decisions, the authority aims to ensure that the next generation of professionals is not only aware of the opportunities within aviation but is also inspired and prepared to seize them.