NCAA to fully digitalise aviation licensing from July 2026

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced plans to replace its manual, paper-based licensing system with a fully digital platform for pilots, engineers, medical personnel and other aviation professionals.

The new system, known as the Modern Personnel Licensing and Certification (MPLC) platform, is scheduled to go live on July 2, 2026. It is designed to eliminate delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long affected the issuance and renewal of aviation licences in Nigeria.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, made this known on Tuesday at a stakeholder engagement on the NCAA Digital Transformation Initiative held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

Najomo said the reform marks a major shift in the country’s aviation regulatory system, adding that Nigeria can no longer rely on outdated manual processes in a fast-evolving global industry.

He said the new platform would allow for seamless online applications, real-time tracking of licence processing, and faster issuance and renewal of certifications.

According to him, the system will also introduce biometric verification and QR-code-enabled licences to improve security, transparency and data integrity.

“The era of waiting endlessly for licences will soon be over,” Najomo said, adding that the system would bring Nigerian aviation standards closer to global best practices.

He explained that the digital platform is part of a broader transformation programme that will later cover Air Operator Certificates, Approved Training Organisations, maintenance organisations, aerodrome certification, and other regulatory approvals.

Najomo also revealed that the authority has already reduced the time required to process Air Operator Certificates from up to two years to between six and eight months, with a target of about 90 days under the new system.

He added that additional technical processes, including aircraft registration, airworthiness certification, and maintenance approvals, would also be integrated into the digital system.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Airworthiness Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, said the initiative would finally end paper-based certification in the aviation sector.

He noted that modern aviation oversight now depends on digital systems that ensure speed, accuracy and safety compliance.

Balang said the MPLC platform consists of several modules, including personnel licensing, technical records and organisational approvals, all designed to streamline regulatory processes.

He also disclosed that the NCAA had partnered with international experts and conducted technical engagements abroad to study best practices for effective implementation of the system.