The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hosted its New Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Training Programme in Lagos on Wednesday, seeking to expand youth engagement and address future workforce demands across the country’s aviation sector.
The initiative brought together members of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) alongside students from local institutions, including MMA Secondary School, Air Force Secondary School, and Honeyland Schools. The initiative aims to showcase specialized technical and commercial career pathways beyond traditional roles such as commercial pilots and flight crew.
“The program is designed to broaden young Nigerians’ understanding of the aviation ecosystem and highlight emerging opportunities across technical, medical, and technology-driven disciplines,” said Engr. Abiola Muniru Adejare, FAAN’s Director of Engineering Services, who delivered opening remarks on behalf of Managing Director and Chief Executive Olubunmi Kuku.
Industry experts across several disciplines delivered technical and career guidance during the event. Sessions covered commercial flight operations, aviation medicine, aerodrome rescue and fire fighting safety (ARFFS), and specialized aviation media and visual storytelling.
In a move reflecting the growing role of autonomous technology in commercial aviation, representatives from the Federation of International Drone Soccer Association (FIDA) Nigeria conducted interactive workshops on drone technology, offering participants hands-on training in drone piloting and practical applications.
Addressing participants at the conclusion of the event, Dr. Toyin Akinlade, FAAN’s General Manager of Training and Human Resources Development, emphasized the necessity of continuous technical skill development to keep pace with evolving industry demands.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has increasingly focused on local capacity building and workforce development to support expanding airport infrastructure and emerging technology adoption across sub-Saharan Africa.
