Parents wanting their wards to become trained pilots are in for some financial hurdles as major training institutions in the country have increased standard rates.
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, and the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, Kwara State, have hinted at new tuition and sundry fees for aspiring pilots, ranging between N18 million and N20 million.
The new rate, which is over 100 per cent of the former cost, was blamed on economic realities, especially the dollar-to-naira rate of exchange.
Apparently peeved by the spike, aviation stakeholders have called for a review of the new tuitions to avoid reducing aviation into an elite club of the super-rich.
In a related development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted approval to the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, to admit freshmen into a new session.
The apex regulatory body granted the approval following an assessment of the college’s facilities and an expression of satisfaction with its compliance with international best practices and regulations.
The Guardian gathered that NCAT, a flagship training institution and a parastatal of the Ministry of Aviation, raised its 2023 pilot tuition from N8.9 million to N18 million or N12.83 million (excluding accommodation and feeding) for a two-year duration course. Similarly, the state-owned IAC is planning an adjustment from N12 million to N20 million-plus per pilot for an 18 to 21-month training duration.
An official of NCAT confirmed the new rate, adding that the “100 per cent increase is marginal”, compared with current rates in similar institutions in-country and abroad.
“Also note that this is the first time NCAT has increased its fees in several years. As you know, aviation is denominated in dollars and almost all components are imported into the country.
“In 2006 when the Standard Pilot course was charged at N7.5 million, the exchange rate was N130/$. After 17 years of inflation, the rate is now N450/$. So, an increase of 100 per cent is just very reasonable,” he said.
Acting Rector of the IAC, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi explained that the upward review was unavoidable given the dollar rate to naira, and the cost of acquiring aircraft spare parts, keeping up with the maintenance schedule and paying instructors – all in dollars.