President of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (NCAT) Alumni Association, Ambassador Ali Magashi, has presented a memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, on the proposed amendments to the bill on Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria

The presentation was made during a one-day public hearing where submissions were received from government aviation agencies and other stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry in Abuja Monday.

Speaking during the session, Ambassador Magashi made a case for increased funding for NCAT. 

He noted that NCAT remains the oldest and foremost aviation training facility in Nigeria and West/Central Africa to date.

With air travel demand increasing rapidly, he said there is a shortage of aviation professionals and to address it, he called for increased funding to expand training capacity in order to produce more professionals and 

procure adequate aircraft and equipment  to sustain and increase training. 

On scholarships, Ambassador Magashi raised concerns over the skyrocketing cost of aviation training. 

He urged the federal government to increase scholarship funds and create an enabling environment for private aviation companies to sponsor more trainees.

“In time past, a bright student from a humble background could aspire to be trained and realise their dreams through scholarships which were readily available then. We need to bring that back,” he said.

Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Idris Garba, promised to assist NCAT in supporting their funding in the areas of training and technology advancement.