New online platform promises faster licence approvals, real-time tracking and biometric verification for pilots, engineers and other aviation professionals…..
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority is set to launch a fully digital licensing and certification system in a major overhaul aimed at eliminating years of delays, paperwork and bureaucratic bottlenecks within the country’s aviation sector.
Beginning July 2, 2026, pilots, engineers, medical personnel and other aviation professionals will be able to apply for, renew and track their licences through a centralised online platform designed to modernise regulatory operations and improve efficiency across the industry.
The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday during the NCAA Digital Transformation Initiative PEL/MED Stakeholder Engagement held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, said the transition marks a turning point for Nigeria’s aviation industry, which he said can no longer depend on outdated paper-driven systems while the rest of the world embraces digital oversight.
According to him, the new platform is expected to drastically reduce the long waiting periods aviation professionals often face before receiving approvals and certifications from the authority.
“For too long, operators and professionals have had to wait weeks and sometimes months for licences to be processed. That era is coming to an end,” Najomo said.
He explained that the digital system would introduce a transparent online process for licence issuance, renewals and conversions, while applicants would also be able to monitor the progress of their applications in real time.
The platform will also feature biometric-backed credentials and QR-code verification technology to improve security, transparency and compliance with international aviation standards.
Najomo noted that many global aviation authorities have already abandoned fragmented databases and manual procedures in favour of automated systems capable of supporting real-time regulatory oversight.
He described the licensing platform as the first phase of the NCAA’s broader digital transformation programme, adding that future phases would cover critical certification processes across the aviation industry.
These include Air Operator Certificate approvals, maintenance organisation certifications, training organisation approvals, aerodrome certifications, ground handling operations and air navigation service providers.
The NCAA boss also disclosed that the authority had already made significant progress in reducing the processing timeline for Air Operator Certificates issued to airlines.
“Previously, obtaining an AOC could take between one and two years. We have reduced that to between six and eight months, and with this platform, we are targeting around 90 days,” he said.
Najomo further revealed that the digital initiative would extend to aircraft registration, airworthiness certification, maintenance programme approvals, import and export certification processes, and monitoring of aircraft safety directives.
In his remarks, the Director of Airworthiness Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, said the aviation industry had reached a point where manual oversight was no longer sustainable.
“What we are dealing with today cannot be managed with paper files. Aviation regulation now depends on speed, accuracy, systems and technology,” Balang stated.
He explained that the new MPLC system consists of multiple integrated modules covering personnel licensing, technical records and organisational approvals to strengthen oversight across different segments of the aviation industry.
Balang also disclosed that the NCAA partnered with international technical experts and conducted overseas engagements to understudy global best practices before rolling out the project.
According to him, a technical team from the authority recently travelled to South America for intensive operational sessions focused on the deployment and implementation of the digital certification platform.
Industry stakeholders believe the transition could significantly improve efficiency, reduce corruption risks associated with manual processing and position Nigeria’s aviation sector closer to global regulatory standards.
