Chinedu Eze
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated an investigation into a syndicate that is allegedly charging excessive fees for issuing licenses to foreign aircraft maintenance technicians employed by Nigerian airlines. A notice from the NCAA, referenced as NCAA/DOLTS/GEN/VOL.V/22726/2 and dated June 29, 2026, details deficiencies identified in the application process, procedures, and associated documentation, including payments related to the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License (AMEL). This communication was signed by Capt. D. Spiff, Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, on behalf of the NCAA’s Executive Director.
According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, the NCAA does not issue independent AMELs to foreign technicians. Instead, it authenticates licenses issued abroad for engineers working on Nigerian-registered aircraft. Reports indicate that the syndicate has been charging between N500,000 and N700,000 for these licenses, whereas the official fee is set at N50,000.
The NCAA is specifically investigating license number 6520, which was converted on January 16, 2026, and has uncovered significant shortcomings in the associated application process. The agency has requested that individuals implicated in this scheme submit signed documentation and proof of payment within seven days of receiving the notice. It emphasized that non-compliance would result in processing the case without further input from the affected parties.
Further revelations from the investigation have highlighted potential issues concerning pilots flying under Non-Commercial Flight Permits (PNCF), who may have renewed their licenses without the obligatory simulator training. In Nigeria, private jet pilots are required to renew their operating licenses annually and must pass either the Pilot Proficiency Test (PPC) or the Operator Proficiency Test (OPC) in a simulator. Findings from last year’s Ministerial Task Force report on illegal civil charter operations indicated that some pilots had not completed these evaluations for as long as two to three years, a practice deemed illegal under Nigerian aviation regulations.
NCAA’s Director of Communications, Michael Achimugu, stated he was unaware of such practices. He assured that the NCAA would take appropriate actions following the completion of the investigation. Achimugu expressed the need for caution and urged stakeholders to await the committee’s findings, acknowledging that he had yet to receive complaints from pilots or engineers regarding these alleged violations.
The task force’s recent report raises serious concerns about significant safety gaps in the pilot license renewal process. It noted that critical information distinguishing pilots operating under PNCF from those under Airline Operator Certificate (AOC) privileges is often lacking. The potential for illegal concessions previously afforded to commercial jet pilots under these circumstances could inadvertently extend to AOC-operating pilots if left unchecked.
Concerns were further escalated by revelations from interviews and whistleblower accounts, suggesting that some NCAA personnel may have engaged in unethical conduct bordering on gross misconduct. The report criticized the institutional culture that allows superiors to undermine established disciplinary regulations, thereby enabling misconduct to persist.
Discussions with industry insiders revealed that pilots who received exemptions for license renewals might have paid as much as N1.5 million to bypass necessary evaluations. The source emphasized that although it is customary for the NCAA to recertify foreign-issued licenses, some engineers allegedly obtained Nigerian licenses from this syndicate instead, potentially compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation framework. However, there is also recognition among officials concerning the NCAA’s prompt action, reflecting a commitment to uncover the truth and reassure stakeholders of the agency’s integrity.
