Four aviation unions have given the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) management 14 days to resolve staff conditions of service or face shut down.

The unions, representing a significant proportion of NCAT’s skilled workforce, accuse the college management of indecision and lip service on staff welfare.

In a joint notice, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, National Union of Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers said NCAT has failed to conclude its Conditions of Service review despite repeated engagements and assurances.

A shutdown could disrupt training schedules, technical operations, and administrative functions, worsening skills shortages and delaying certification pipelines.

“The commitment of staff to the growth of the college is now at risk as frustration deepens across departments,” the unions said.

They stressed that NCAT’s role as Nigeria’s premier aviation training institution makes the stalemate more damaging.

The unions said they remain open to dialogue but warned that goodwill alone cannot substitute for concrete action on agreed welfare frameworks.

They have threatened that if the issue is not resolved, they would ask members to withdraw services, and this will affect airlines, regulators, and private operators who rely on NCAT for pilots, engineers, and air traffic personnel.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date

Open In Whatsapp